세계의 대부분 국가들은 사형을 폐지하고 있으며, 우리나라도 국내외적으로 폐지압력을 받고 있다. 우리는 1997년 이후 사형을 집행하지 않고 있지만, 법적으로 사형집행의 가능성은 여전히 남아있다. 사형은 형법에 규정되어 있고, 이에 대해 헌법재판소도 합헌이라는 입장이다. 이 논문은 사형제도가 위헌적인 측면이 있음을 밝히고 현대사회에서 더 이상 용납되지 않을 것이라는 점을 전제로 한다. 그러나 사형과 같은 기능을 하는 형벌이 존재하지 않는 한 곧바로 폐지하는 것만이 능사는 아니다. 우선 사형제도가 유지되는 현재에는 사형이 가능한 형법규정의 축소, 보다 엄격한 양형기준의 마련, 만장일치제 및 필요적 변론제도의 도입 등을 통해 사형선고를 제한하거나, 실제로 사형이 집행되는 가능성을 제한하도록 사형집행유예제도의 도입하거나, 교정시설에 수용중인 사형확정자에 대한 교화프로그램을 확장하는 등으로 형사사법제도를 개선하여야 한다고 본다. 종국적으로 사형제도가 폐지되는 경우 절대적 종신형제도를 도입하는 것이 타당하다.

A probation system of death penalty can lie halfway between death penalty and life sentence. Since grotesque and crude murder cases continually happen in Korea, it is difficult to abolish death penalty right now. We need to introduce the probation system of death penalty, which may be regarded as an interim stage for abolishment of death penalty. I have investigated the current death penalty system in China and found the following problems: There are many kinds of crimes punishable by death penalty, the appropriate condition is not shown to apply the probation system of death penalty, and the number of execution is the largest in the world. However, the probation system of death penalty has the following advantages: It is a humanistic system to head for the return to society, a positive effect of correction can be anticipated during the probation, and danger of misjudgement can be minimized. Moreover, in regard to the probation system of death penalty, I have explored a range of probation judgement, the probation period, the screening procedures of application, and the cases of remission.

Since sustenance and abolition of death penalty system have an argument about the world view, we cannot conclude which one is right. The death penalty system can be changed by the age and situation. In Korea, the death penalty system is based on the situation of its application and Korean people's mind of law. So we should investigate the death penalty system in terms of fluctuating the two factors. In the first stage, the death penalty system has to be reformed with respect to reduction of the death penalty regulation, establishment of the criteria in death penalty application, and elaboration of criminal suit procedures. In the second stage, the system of death penalty suspension should be introduced as a transitional one to abolish death penalty. This is the necessary system from the viewpoint of humanism and criminal policy. It is also essential to avoid misjudgement. This system has a five-year deferral period, in which after five-year suspension, we will determine whether death penalty is executed or penal servitude for life is served. In the final stage, when it is legally convinced that people in Korea reach a consensus to abolish death penalty, we should introduce special penal servitude for life, which is more strict than the present penal servitude for life. Moreover, we should reform regulations of criminal law to be able to assign penal servtude for life as well as special one to criminals.