The National Human Rights Commission of Korea(Chairperson Lee Sungho) hosted a 2015 Forum on Human Rights Management on 6 November, 2015, where establishment of the National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights was discussed in relation to the state responsibility for protection for business and human rights.
During the forum, the NHRCK listened to international trend regarding the NAP on business and human rights which has been discussed in the UN, ILO, OECD, G7 Summit and other international organizations. It also gathered opinion from the government, business and civil society organizations regarding sustainable development and human rights management of Korea companies operating abroad.
The UN, in 2011, announced a Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and strongly recommended for development of the NAP on business and human rights, and last year, in December, it announced additional guidance to guarantee implementation of the Guiding Principles.
At the first session of the forum, the UK, Denmark and Sweden, countries that established the NAP on business and human rights for the first time presented their cases, and participants reviewed the process, contents, implication and international trend regarding the NAP on business and human rights.
At the second session, a result of research on establishment of the NAP on business and human rights was presented, and diverse measures were proposed relating to state response for human rights management including mandatory human rights management at public institutions.
The NHRCK wishes that the forum serves as an opportunity to present direction for human rights management and facilitate human rights friendly business culture.
The NHRCK will continue to devote its best efforts to create social consensus on human rights management by establishing and recommending to the government the proposal on NAP on business and human rights based on the result of research and opinions received.
