A Study on Legal Issues in Telecommunication and Direct Broadcasting by Uses of Artificial Satellites

정보화(情報化) 시대(時代)에서의 통신(通信) 및 방송위성이용(放送衛星利用)에 따르는 법적(法的) 문제(問題) 분석(分析)과 대응방안 연구(硏究)

In the forthcoming 21st century new technical and scientific developments in outer space demands new approaches towards the problems arising in several fields of the use and exploitation of outer space including practical applications. The main purposes of this study are to analyze the legal problems of geostationary orbital position, telecommunication, direct television broadcasting by uses of artificial satellites. Communication via artificial Earth satellites was one of the first applications of space technology and is now one of the most developed field. From the technical and economic standpoints the advantages of world-wide satellites communication system are too all obvious. However, as the practical uses of space technology become more freguent, the legal conflicts among nations have become more divisive. One of the problem grown in uses of artificial satellites is that of the increasing shortage of suitable orbital slot positions for satellites, especially in geostationary orbit. Legal status of geostationary orbit as a limited resourece have to be reviewed in consideration of the side effect of the "First use, first-served" principle. The geostationary orbit is to be used for the benifits of all mankind and to be guaranteed for each state institutionaly in order to have eguitable access to the use of the orbit. Rapid increase of satellites broadcasting system in not only developed countries but also in developing countries opened up new possibilities with one another's scientific and cultural achievements. But there is also a potential danger that this powerful new instrument of influencing public opinion will be abused. Such a danger incudes spill-over or harmful interference. This controversial issue brings about the question whether prior consent from the receiver nation is needed to broadcast across international boundaries. Some states have rejected prior consent because it interfere with the free flow of information. Many other countries have opposed that opinion as an invasion and violation of sovereignty and as a violation of the 1967 Treaty and the UN Charter. Since declaration of the First Year of Outer Space in 1985, our country have promoted the plan of launching communication and broadcasting satellites. With the Koreasat launched in 1995 as the start, a real satellite-telecommunication era was opened in korea. According to this new development of our country, there will also rise various legal problems related to satellite broadcasting and telecommunication such as the inflow of foreign programs, the permeation of culture and the infringement of program copyright. Consequently the effective reactions to these problems in satellite-communication era should be tried including international cooperation. It is therefore to take into careful consideration the legal issues which may arise in outer space activities and to formulate positive policy on international cooperation with surrounding or advanced countries and international organization concerned. For this purpose the United Nations also prepares the UNISPACE III in 1999, to enable the international community to meet a more promising 21st century.