IV. Institutional framework for combating racism
21. NHRCK has a mandate to investigate the human rights violations perpetrated by central and local governments and to provide remedies to the victims. The Commission also has jurisdiction over discrimination committed by private entities and organizations on the basis of sex, religion, disability, age, social status, nationality, race, region of origin, appearance, marital status, pregnancy, family status, skin colour, ideas, political orientation, sexual orientation, medical history, etc. At the same time, the Commission has the authority to conduct investigations on its own initiative if there is a reason to believe that human rights violations or discrimination have occurred and that the cases are considered crucial for the promotion and protection of human rights. The Commission has a permanent secretariat that is divided into several branches, which include the Anti-Discrimination Division. The NHRCK vision is to create a society where the dignity and human rights of all persons, including foreigners living in the Republic of Korea, are fully respected and realized. To that end, NHRCK is committed to the full implementation of all human rights set forth in the Constitution, as well as international human rights standards at the domestic level in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles).
Link to full text of the report: Report-SRRacism-Republic of Korea-2015-eng