(1) The criminality and punishability of an act shall be determined by the law in effect at the time of the commission of that act.
(2) When a law is changed after the commission of a crime, such act thereby no longer constitutes a crime under the new law, or the punishment therefor under the new law becomes less severe than under the previous law, the new law shall apply.
(3) When a law is changed after the sentence for a crime committed under the previous law has become final and such act thereby no longer constitutes a crime, the execution of the punishment shall be remitted.

This Act shall apply to both Korean nationals and aliens who commit crimes in the territory of the Republic of Korea.

This Act shall apply to all Korean nationals who commit crimes outside the territory of the Republic of Korea.

This Act shall apply to aliens who commit crimes on board a Korean vessel or Korean aircraft outside the territory of the Republic of Korea.

This Act shall apply to aliens who commit any of the following crimes outside the territory of the Republic of Korea:
1. Crimes concerning insurrection;
2. Crimes concerning foreign aggression;
3. Crimes concerning the national flag;
4. Crimes concerning currency;
5. Crimes concerning securities, postage and revenue stamps;
6. Crimes specified in Articles 225 through 230 among crimes concerning documents; and
7. Crimes specified in Article 238 among crimes concerning seals.

This Act shall apply to aliens who commit crimes, other than those specified in the preceding Article, against the Republic of Korea or her nationals outside the territory of the Republic of Korea: Provided, That this shall not apply in case where such acts under Act in effect at the time of the act do not constitute a crime, or the prosecution thereof or the execution of the punishment therefor is remitted.

If an offender has undergone execution of sentence imposed abroad because of crime, either in whole or in part, the punishment therefor in Korea may be mitigated or remitted.

The general provisions of this Act shall also apply to such crimes as are provided by other Acts and subordinate statutes unless provided otherwise by such Acts and subordinate statutes.