National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea repatriated to North Korea against their will. This brought the NHRCK to gain understanding of the practice of processing North Korean defectors in South Asian region for the prevention of recurrence of such an incident. As such, the Commission representatives visited Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic to conduct an on-site examination and to promote cooperation with the related entities. In addition, the Commission took notice of the educational difficulties experienced in Korea by those youngsters who defected from North Korea. In response, it took stock of the educational practices for the North Korean defectors and their difficulties in this regard. Based upon the result, it will issue a policy recommendation. In April 2013, the Commission co-organized the Seoul International Symposium on North Korean Human Rights with Korea University. The Symposium served as an occasion where the Commission discussed with the international community the current status of North Korean human rights and advisable measures for improvement. In addition, as the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in North Korea commenced its work in July 2013, the NHRCK supported COI's activities in Korea and submitted related data and information as well. The NHRCK has continuously managed the North Korean Human Rights Forum since its creation in 2008. In 2013, a total of 43 expert members of the Forum who represent academia, legal circles, the press, the civil society organizations, etc. convened four times to develop policies on North Korean human rights, and to reinforce the cooperation network among them. Introduction ▪▪▪ 19