APEC 역내 UNCITRAL MLETR 도입 및 활성화 방안에 관한 연구

This study analyzes the current status and barriers to implementing APEC MLETR and proposes measures to activate MLETR, aiming to contribute to building an MLETR ecosystem within APEC. Currently, only four of the 21 APEC member economies (Singapore, the United States, Papua New Guinea, and Mexico) have legislated MLETR (including domestic law amendments), while most member economies, including China, Japan, and Australia, are preparing for its introduction. Since the UNCITRAL MLETR was established in 2017, the direct mention of MLETR in the APEC Foreign and Trade Ministers’ Joint Declaration starting in 2023 has formed a basis for discussion. However, key obstacles have been identified: differing national legal frameworks and commercial practices for electronic transactions from a legal-institutional perspective; lack of interoperability, data silos, and multi-layered, complex regulatory compliance issues from a practical implementation perspective; and regional digital infrastructure gaps. This study proposes a four-phase approach to address these challenges, leveraging APEC’s flexible discussion structure, open regionalism, and idea incubator function. Phase 1, the MLETR Foundation and Preparation Phase, involves establishing a new APEC consultative body and conducting economic impact analysis studies. Phase 2: MLETR Framework Development involves creating APEC-tailored MLETR guidelines and conducting national readiness assessments. Phase 3:MLETR Pilot Operation and Verification aims for participation in pilot projects led by pioneer nations and establishing regulatory sandboxes. Phase 4: MLETR Dissemination and Standardization targets building the MLETR ecosystem through discussions on security and certification standards and establishing dispute resolution mechanisms. The significance of this study lies in proposing a global, community-based solution through regional cooperation, unlike existing approaches focused on establishing individual national legal frameworks, and in providing a concrete and actionable roadmap accessible to APEC member economies. Through this, APEC can serve as a leading platform for establishing a global paperless trade system. It is expected that the collaborative model from this study will spread to other international organizations, potentially becoming the starting point for building a global digital trade ecosystem.