South Korean Presidential Candidate Pledges Crypto ETF Legalization

Lee Jae-Myung, the Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential candidate, has unveiled a bold crypto reform agenda ahead of next month’s election. His ’7 major digital asset pledges’ include institutionalizing virtual asset spot ETFs—a first for South Korean presidential campaigns.

’I will create a safe investment environment so that young people can form assets and plan for the future,’ Lee declared. The proposal features an integrated monitoring system and government-led market reorganization, with explicit promises to reduce transaction fees.

The pledge marks a watershed moment for crypto adoption in Asia’s fourth-largest economy. No previous candidate has addressed digital assets in election platforms, positioning Lee as a potential crypto ally should he win the May 2025 election.