Recent incidents of state terrorism, including the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, the murder (and attempted murder) of persons with strong ties to Russia, and the Jamal Khashoggi assassination, demonstrate cruelty while implying the involvement of the state, unlike other acts of terrorism since the Second World War. This trend denies the efforts of the international community, which has suppressed physical punishment including the death penalty in modern times and has achieved advances in human rights and humanitarianism under contemporary international law. Accordingly, this paper utilizes Michel Foucault’s indications regarding prison to reconsider recent cases of state terrorism from a broader perspective while taking into consideration the historical background of conventional terrorism and the development of international terrorism-related treaties.

I. Introduction
II. The Transformation of Terrorism: A History
    A. From Traditional Terrorism to New Terrorism
    B. People-led Terrorism
III. International Legal Basis to Fight against Terrorism
    A. Agreements related to Aircraft
    B. Conventions related to Hostage-taking
    C. Anti-terrorism Conventions
    D. Development of International Law against Terrorism
IV. Recent Instances of State Terrorism
    A. Assassination of Kim Jong-nam
    B. Poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal
    C. Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi
V. State Terrorism: Irrelevance and Illegitimacy
VI. Conclusion

• Hae Kyung Kim(Associate Professor at College of Risk Management, Nihon University, Japan; Lecturer at Meiji University School of Law (Law in Japan Program). M.A./Ph.D. (Waseda U.))