National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea
in North Korea by actively participating in meetings and conferences hosted by human
rights organizations.
Notably, it enhanced the cooperation network with NGOs through a number of
roundtable meetings including a roundtable with heads of North Korean human rights
organizations (Jan. 15), a roundtable with North Korea defectors (Feb. 12), and a
roundtable with writers on human rights in North Korea (July 25). It also visited
Hana Centers which provide support for new arrivals of North Korean defectors, met
North Korean defectors to learn their stories, and listened to difficulties in operating
the center from the staff.
2. Featured Project I: Spreading a Culture of Human Rights
in Business and Management
A. Overview
With the ever growing transnational business activities and rapidly expanding
influence of multinational corporations over the global economy, the issue of business
and human rights has become an important global policy agenda since the 1990s.
The international community, including the UN and the OECD, has sought a range
of measures for the prevention of and remedies for human rights violations by business
enterprises, reflecting the heightened social awareness of the influence of businesses
regarding human rights.
It is notable that the UN Human Rights Council adopted the Guiding Principles
on Business and Human Rights in June 2013. The Guiding Principles cover three main
points: the State Duty to Protect Human Rights; the Corporate Responsibility to Respect
Human Rights; and Access to Remedy. In addition, a Working Group on the issue
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