<Anchor>
As the circumstances that Russia committed war crimes are exposed one after another, the international community is also calling for the punishment of President Putin.
However, in reality, there are many hurdles to overcome before Putin can be tried as a war criminal.
This part was pointed out by reporter Kim Yong-cheol.
<Reporter>
The International Criminal Court ICC began collecting evidence of war crimes in Ukraine on the 2nd of last month at the request of 41 member states.
In addition to the atrocities committed before and after Russia's annexation of the Krum Peninsula in 2014, an investigation into crimes committed after the invasion of Ukraine was added.
In addition to allegations of genocide of civilians, it also investigates the use of banned vacuum bombs.
The ICC's investigation is carried out through a case involving one of the member states or a complaint by the Security Council.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine is a member of the ICC, but Ukraine provisionally accepted ICC jurisdiction at the time of Russia's annexation of the Krum Peninsula in 2014
.
[Choi Tae-hyun / Professor Emeritus, Hanyang University Law School: ICC may exercise its jurisdiction if the country of origin of the crime temporarily accepts jurisdiction.]
The war crimes punishable by the ICC include genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression.
If Russia's military operations were aimed at civilians, then Russian President Putin will likely be convicted.
However, since the ICC trial is a criminal trial and criminals must attend in person, it is unclear whether an actual trial will take place even if the prosecution is conducted.
It is possible for Russians to arrest Putin and extradite him or arrest him while traveling abroad, but it is difficult in reality.
[Choi Tae-hyun / Emeritus Professor of Law School, Hanyang University: I think that there is little chance that the ICC will actually arrest him and have a trial at the ICC because the ICC lacks the means of law enforcement.]
We do not know how long the trial will take.
Former Yugoslav President Milosevic, charged with genocide, was tried in 2002, but died in prison in 2006.
Although it will not be easy for the ICC investigation to lead to actual punishment for Putin, it is expected to have a significant effect on raising awareness of war crimes.
(Video Edit: Hojin Kim)
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