S. Korea's Cabinet OKs universal jurisdiction against terrorists

 South Korea's Cabinet approved universal jurisdiction in a revised criminal code on Tuesday, a step that could allow Seoul to bring to justice those who commit terrorist attacks and other grave crimes outside of South Korea, the Justice Ministry said.

   The revision, set to go into effect as early as 2013, represents Seoul's commitment to join global efforts to combat such international crimes as terrorist attacks, which have plagued the United States and other world powers.

   "The new criminal code allowing exercise of universal jurisdiction is in tandem with the global efforts to fight against international criminals," said Lee Sang-jin, a senior prosecutor in charge of the law revision.

   The revision calls for the South Korean authorities to prosecute terrorists if Seoul secures custody of them.

   The current code only mandates Seoul's law enforcement agencies to prosecute foreigners who commit crimes against South Koreans abroad. South Korea can also punish foreign criminals within the country.

   The revision comes weeks after South Korea brought five Somali pirates to the country and indicted them on charges of piracy, maritime robbery and attempted murder.

   The five Somalis and eight others hijacked a Korean carrier in the Arabian Sea in late January that ended in a dramatic rescue a week later by South Korean commandos.

   The commandos killed eight Somali pirates and rescued all 21 crew members during the raid, though the captain is still being hospitalized for multiple gunshots wounds sustained during the rescue operation.

   The Somalis are currently awaiting a court trial. The first hearing is expected be held as early as late April, according to local court officials. They could face up to life in prison if convicted.

   The Justice Ministry also plans to revise regulations that would allow Seoul's law enforcement agencies to prosecute those who hijack a plane or a ship.

(Yonhap News)