Detail

`The year 2002 marks the 50th anniversary of Korea becoming a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ITU is a specialized international organization which was inaugurated in 1932 through the integration of the International Telegraph Union, established in 1865, and the International Radiotelegraph Union, established in 1906. Headquarted in Geneva, Switzerland, it is the longest existing international organization extant today with a membership of 189 nations. The ITU is an inter-governmental international organization that aims to maintain and strengthen international cooperation in the improvement and judicious use of all types of telecommunications, to promote the development and effective operation of new technology in order to enhance efficiency in telecommunications as well as to expand its use and dissemination. Korea, which joined the ITU in 1952, has been dispatching its delegation starting from the 8th ITU Plenipotentiary, and has served as a council member on thrdd separate occasions since 1989. At present, Korea Telecom, Dacom, SK Telecom, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have all joined the ITU as private members. This stamp features the signal kites which Admiral Yi Soon-shin utilized to convey orders and communicate during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. This signal kites, also known as Chungmu kites after the admiral`s pen name, were an early type of a communication satellite and served a vital function of sending coded messages during battle.`