ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Part II Major Activities of NHRCK Chapter 1. Improvement of Laws and Regulations, Institution, Policies, and Practices Section 1. Overview In compliance with the NHRC Act, the Commission carries out various activities, including: 1. ‌issuing recommendations and opinions on human rights-related laws, regulations, policies, and practices (Article 19.1 and Article 25); 2. conducting investigations pertaining to human rights conditions (Article 19.4); and 3. ‌issuing recommendations and opinions on the accession to and implementation of international human rights treaties in order to facilitate the implementation of the treaties in Korea (Article 19.7). In accordance with the provisions in the act, the Commission has the right and responsibility to serve the following tasks: 1. ‌establishing subcommittees and an advisory organ to seek advice on matters deemed appropriate to the performance of the duties of the Commission (Article 12 and 15); 2. ‌requesting a consultation of state organs, local governments, and other public or private organizations (Article 20); 3. holding a public hearing (Article 23); 4. ‌expressing its opinions on de jure matters to the competent court or the Constitutional Court in the event a trial, which significantly affects the protection and promotion of human rights, is pending (Article 28); and 5. ‌preparing an annual report on its activities for the preceding year, including the human rights situation and any improvement measures, and report thereon to the President of the Republic of Korea and the National Assembly (Article 29). 18 | National Human Rights Commission of Korea