무역거래에 있어 가장 큰 관심사라 할 수 있는 대금결제에 있어서 가장 보편적인 결제수단으로 자리매김하고 있는 신용장은 정보통신의 발전에 따른 적응이 이루어지고 있는 것으로 보인다. 특히 2002년에 발효된 국제상업회의소의 eUCP는 이러한 적응노력의 산물로 평가할 수 있을 것이다. 이러한 국제추세에 맞추어 우리 정부는 전자무역3개년계획을 수립하고 그 일환으로 전자신용장 거래가 가능한 e-L/C유통관리시스템을 구축하였다.그러나 이 시스템은 완전한 전자신용장 운영체계는 아니며 기초적인 단계에 불과하다고 볼 수 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 국내에서 완전한 전자신용장 운영체계가 운영되기 위하여 갖추어야 할 요건에 대하여 검토하였다.그 결과 첫째, 법제도적 요건으로 선하증권을 포함한 선적서류의 법적안정성과 책임관계의 정립 등이 필요한 것으로 판단된다. 둘째, 거래적 요건으로는 신용장의 관계당사자가 전자거래환경에서도 종전의 이해관계에 부정적 영향을 받지 않도록 조정하여야 하는 것으로 판단된다. 셋째, 기능적 요건으로는 문서의 전자적 교환과 국내외 유관망과의 연동 등이 필요한 것으로 보인다. 넷째, 기타 요건으로는 상업적으로 안전한 보안 및 인증 등이 요구되는 것으로 생각된다.

It seems that letter of credit, the most popular of the payment methods, is adapted itself to electronic circumstances. Particularly ICC's eUCP is a product of efforts of that adaptation. In order to cope with the new situation, Korean government have established the Three-year Plan for the Facilitation of e-Trade. As a part of the plan, the electronic L/C circulating system is created by the Korean government, banks and KFTC. But, this system is not perfect system but only foundation of electronic L/C transaction system. Therefore, this study examine the operating system's necessary conditions for the electronic letter of credit. As a result, 4 category's necessary conditions is founded. First, in relation to legal matter, All shipping documents, including B/L, have to win public and legal recognition. And all concerned responsibility and right have to be clear. Second, in relation to transactional matter, all party's interest have to be maintain after the system start operation. Third, in relation to functional matter, all shipping documents, including B/L, have to be exchange electronically and the system is able to connect with the network of home and abroad. Forth, the other matter are kept commercial security and authentication of the transaction in e-L/C transaction.

It seems that letter of credit, the most popular of the payment methods, is adapted itself to electronic circumstances. Particularly ICC's eUCP is a product of efforts of that adaptation. In order to cope with the new situation, Korean government have established the Three-year Plan for the Facilitation of e-Trade. As a part of the plan, the electronic L/C circulating system is created by the Korean government, banks and KFTC. But, this system is not perfect system but only foundation of electronic L/C transaction system. Therefore, this study examine the operating system's necessary conditions for the electronic letter of credit. As a result, 4 category's necessary conditions is founded. First, in relation to legal matter, All shipping documents, including B/L, have to win public and legal recognition. And all concerned responsibility and right have to be clear. Second, in relation to transactional matter, all party's interest have to be maintain after the system start operation. Third, in relation to functional matter, all shipping documents, including B/L, have to be exchange electronically and the system is able to connect with the network of home and abroad. Forth, the other matter are kept commercial security and authentication of the transaction in e-L/C transaction.

e-L/C, eUCP, e-Trade