A/HRC/29/46/Add.1 level in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). 22. The Special Rapporteur was informed that NHRCK only provides recommendations to the Government, which can decide whether to follow up or not. The Special Rapporteur also notes that the NHRCK personnel was reduced by 21 per cent a few years ago and that some experienced commissioners have resigned in recent years (see CERD/C/KOR/CO/1516, para. 18). 23. The Special Rapporteur also met with representatives of the Korea Communications Commission, which has a mandate to oversee and evaluate the content of television and radio transmissions of both public and private operators. The Commission was established under the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Korea Communication Commission and is responsible for regulating broadcasting and communication services, protecting users and ensuring the independence of broadcasting services, including monitoring hate and racist speech. The functions of the Commission include the formulation and implementation of policies pertaining to terrestrial, general and reporting programme providers; the investigation of violations by a broadcasting or communication service operator and the imposition of sanctions for such violations; the development and implementation of measures aimed at protecting users and their personal information and at preventing the circulation of illegal or harmful information; the establishment of policies on programming and evaluation; and the diversification of media. 24. At the municipal level, the Special Rapporteur was made aware that Seoul city council had established in 2012 a human rights commission by issuing the Human Rights Ordinance. The commission is composed of 15 experts who are tasked with reviewing major policies and laws related to the human rights of the citizens of Seoul and three citizens’ rights guardians appointed to receive reports of human rights violations in Seoul and to investigate them. Upon finding that a violation has occurred, recommendations can be made to the mayor on related policy change. The municipal human rights commission has competence over any alleged infringements by the city government, district offices and city-sponsored welfare facilities, and serves not just registered residents of the city, but anyone who officially has a workplace in Seoul. Petitions to the commission can be filed by victims and people who have knowledge of alleged violations. Because the commission was established only recently, it is as yet unclear what its precise impact will be and how it will avoid overlapping with the work of NHRCK. V. Public policies to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance 25. The Republic of Korea has had in place the National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights since 2007, which includes provisions relating to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The National Action Plan was renewed in 2012 and schedules a variety of tasks, including: the establishment and implementation of the second basic plan, for 2013–2017, under the Framework Act on Treatment of Foreigners Residing in the Republic of Korea; the provision of language support and counselling to foreign workers; the strengthening of health and safety management for foreign workers; the provision of medical services to irregular foreign workers and their children; the provision of assistance for the social integration of the families of married immigrants; the prevention of domestic and sexual violence against married female immigrants and the provision of relief to such victims; the provision of support to enable married female immigrants’ to gain access to facilities for providing childcare and assistance to mothers; the protection and promotion of cultural diversity; the securing of a fair procedure for determining refugee status; the protection of the rights of 7