Electronic Commerce Issues in the WTO and Implications to Korea

WTO의 전자상거래(電子商去來) 논의동향(論議動向)과 시사점(示唆點) - GATS의 논의를 중심으로 -

Electronic commerce facilitates trade and lower transaction cost can help firms make use of the opportunities of globalization of production and markets. Electronic commerce has broad implications for future trade. These implications include the effect on trade policy making and enforcement. And it is important to ensure that the present and future trading system de jure and de facto allows electronic commerce to realize its potentials as an alternative or a complement to conventional trade. The comprehensive work program had been implemented to examine all trade-related issues relating to global electronic commerce before the Seattle 3rd Ministerial Conference which was suspended. In general, Member countries recognized the need to ensure that electronic commerce in all its forms is conducted in full conformity with WTO principles and rules. But, there are still major issues to be solved such as access to relevant electronic systems, competition policy in telecomnunications services, WTO provisions relating to the protection of IPRs, the clarification of a number of key concepts and definitions, etc.