National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea
by, for example, recommending that the Minister of Health and Welfare establish
the conditions and procedures for quarantine and confinement of patients when
imposing isolation or constraint measures in general medical institutions as a means
of treatment on May 28.
3) Enhancing the Efficacy of Investigations and Remedial Actions
The NHRCK has come up with various arrangements to ensure easy access for
everyone to its remedial process such as counseling and complaints filing. Its efforts
to enhance the accessibility to human rights services include operating circuit
counselors for different groups of needs including persons with disabilities,
multi-cultural families, migrant workers and local residents; developing a video
counseling system for those who have language or hearing difficulties; and utilizing
an SNS counseling system reflecting the high penetration of smartphones. In addition,
the Commission has diversified the means of providing counseling including the
reservation system, English language service for foreigners, and sign language service
for those with hearing difficulties.
The number of complaints filed to the Commission in 2014 showed about an 8.5%
increase compared to the previous year while the number of counseling cases was
down 2.7% from the previous year. In order to effectively address counseling cases
and complaints, which have become more complicated and diversified in content, the
Commission has made internal capacity strengthening efforts such as establishing
a manual on counseling and investigation, computerizing relevant data and
information, and promoting staff education and training.
The Commission has the authority to conduct suo moto investigations on important
social issues involving human rights violations or discriminatory acts, even in cases
Introduction ▪▪▪ 11