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`The 3rd International Telecommunication Day falls on May 17 this year. The fastest and most accurate means of communication for mankind, telecommunication plays a vital role not only in our everyday life but also in such important fields as politics, economy, national defense and social and cultural development. Since 1969, May 17, on which date the Universal Telecommunication Union, the predecessor of the current International Telecommunication Union (ITU), was founded in 1865, has been observed annually as International Telecommunication Day. ITU is one of the oldest international organizations in the world, and also is a special agency of the United Nations. Its headquarters is located in Geneva, with as many as 139 countries throughout the world as its members. The Republic of Korea joined ITU as its official member on January 31, 1952. Objectives of ITU include: 1. Promotion of welfare of all mankind through acceleration of international cooperation in the field of telecommunication 2. Improvement of all means of telecommunication for the purpose of contributing to world peace and 3. Intensive study and research aimed at raising efficiency in telecommunication work. In observance of the 3rd International Telecommunication Day, ITU has designated a catch phrase, ``Space and Telecommunication,`` as the theme. To keep abreast with the nationwide endeavors for national modernization during the past 10 years, the Ministry of Communications has spared no effort in the development of various means of communication. In 1967, the micro-wave system, an all weather communication method, was put into operation and in 1970, a relay station for satellite communications, the latest method of international communication, was established in Kumsan, marking another giant stride forward. The Ministry of Communications is to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of observing the 3rd International Telecommunication Day in the hope that still more convenient and efficient means of telecommunication will be devised and developed in the near future.`