A Study on the Role of criminal law in Metaverse

Times are changing rapidly. Before you get used to one information and com- munication technology, you will encounter the next generation of information and communication technology. The world created by combining such technologies and converging them with real space is a metaverse. Metabuses, which are concentrated information and communication technologies, are like living creatures. As information and communication technology develops, metaverse also develops. However, just as sin entered the world in the beginning in the Bible, various types of crimes are emerging in metaverse. It is the criminal law that has played a role in preventing and suppressing crime so far. However, in the information age, the criminal law gradually gives its role to various specialized laws, and the role is relatively reduced. Of course, it can be seen that the role of the criminal law is not reduced because there are penal provisions in the area of specialized law. That statement is correct in form. However, in practice, in the area of specialized law, criminal law can no longer claim systematic superiority or priority. Criminal law plays an auxiliary role, not a leading role in crime. In this study, the types of crimes that criminal law can play a leading role in metaverse and the types that should be divided into specialized laws were distinguished. And it came to the conclusion that some of the crimes prescribed in the special law should be transferred to the criminal code. But this is a tentative way. In order to maintain the role of criminal law that has been historically established, integrated laws such as “metaverse criminal law” are needed. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically respond to cyber crimes scattered in the current specialized law area. The Metaverse Criminal Law is a special criminal law in form, but in practice, it will be a basic law for cybercrime. The work can no longer be delayed. From now on, the National Assembly, the government, academia, and working circles should have fierce discussions to establish a “meraverse criminal law system” that fits the new era.