World Trade
Organization S/CSS/W/83
11 May 2001 (01-2431) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English

COMMUNICATION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Negotiating Proposal for Telecommunication Services

The following communication has been received from the delegation of the Republic of Korea with the request that it be circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
The GATS Annex on Telecommunications also stress
es
the
characteristics
of the sector, in particular, its dual role as a distinct sector of economic activity and as the underlying means
of
transport for other economic activities.

As of March 2001, 57% of
Korea
’
s
total population
are
mobile phone users and 40%
are
Internet users.

Expectations from the Negotiations

With due respect to national policy goals and the level of economic development of
each
Member country, the Republic of Korea urges
them
to contribute to
expansion of
trade in services as a whole by achieving progressively higher level
s
of liberalization in the telecommunications services sector.