Suggestion on Korean Internet governance system by multi stakeholder approach and Introduction of Korean Internet address law

한국 내 인터넷 거버넌스 형성과 인터넷주소에 관한 법률

This article consists of 3 parts. Part I is multi stakeholder approach on Internet governance system. Part II is analysis of the Korean Internet governance system. In this part, I explain relevant laws in Korea, including Korean Internet Address Resources Act. Part III is my suggestion on Korean Internet governance system using a multi stakeholder approach. First of all, the keyword of the Internet governance system is decision making process: that is, consensus based versus top-down approach. Then who are major players in Internet governance in national level? Government, or Private sectors such as business and civil society. Korean legal system for Internet governance shows a top-down decision making process. Major players are the government (that is, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning) and KISA affiliated with the government. Other players include Internet Address Policy Committee, Korea Internet Governance Alliance, and NGOs. The key statute for Internet governance in Korea is Internet Address Resources Act of 2004. Articles 3 and 5 require the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning to take a proactive role in Internet governance. The government shall consult with the Internet Address Policy Deliberation Committee for Internet governance. Yet this Committee is established under the control of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. All members of this Committee are also commissioned or nominated by the Chairman of the Ministry. Meanwhile, there are also non-official organizations, including Sub-committee on Address & Infrastructure of Korea Internet Governance Alliance. I suggest to reform decision making process of Korean Internet governance system based on BOTTOM-UP process for CONSENSUS BASED DECISION. My suggested system includes the following: (1) The government hands over a major role in Internet governance to INDEPENDENT Internet policy organization. And the government participates in such organization as ONE of the players. (2) Nomination of this committee member must be bottom-up process for a genuine multi-stakeholder model including civil society, commercial organization, end-users and experts. (3) The government should establish plan for supporting the private sector's international activity on the long-term basis.