This study addresses a countermeasure against piracy in the viewpoint of criminal law. The core idea of this study is that the criminal law has also to contribute some help to the prevention of piracy. Piracy is the enemy of the human race. Pirates commit acts of murder, robbery, plunder, rape or other villainous deeds at sea, cruelly against humanity. Korea, as a big maritime country, is obliged to suppress piracy under international treaties it ratified, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the two 1988 Conventions against maritime terrorism. Though Korea's existing domestic law and law enforcement are not adequate to crack down on piracy effectively, Korea has been making increased efforts by tightening up anti-piracy measures. Korea is also taking a positive attitude towards the regional cooperation which is necessary for the suppression of piracy in the waters of Southeast Asia. In spite of the effects of international coordination and cooperation to prevent piracy, it is recently on an increasing trend every year. Such circumstances may have a bad effect on the sound development of world economy by means of trade in sea as well as treat to the safety of crews and safe operation of ships. In oder to contribute a help to the prevent of piracy, Korean Criminal Law has to be somewhat revised and the international cooperation in criminal justice has to be more closely fixed.

This study addresses a countermeasure against piracy in the viewpoint of criminal law. The core idea of this study is that the criminal law has also to contribute some help to the prevention of piracy. Piracy is the enemy of the human race. Pirates commit acts of murder, robbery, plunder, rape or other villainous deeds at sea, cruelly against humanity. Korea, as a big maritime country, is obliged to suppress piracy under international treaties it ratified, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the two 1988 Conventions against maritime terrorism. Though Korea's existing domestic law and law enforcement are not adequate to crack down on piracy effectively, Korea has been making increased efforts by tightening up anti-piracy measures. Korea is also taking a positive attitude towards the regional cooperation which is necessary for the suppression of piracy in the waters of Southeast Asia. In spite of the effects of international coordination and cooperation to prevent piracy, it is recently on an increasing trend every year. Such circumstances may have a bad effect on the sound development of world economy by means of trade in sea as well as treat to the safety of crews and safe operation of ships. In oder to contribute a help to the prevent of piracy, Korean Criminal Law has to be somewhat revised and the international cooperation in criminal justice has to be more closely fixed.