South Korea’s Democratic Party Weighs Further Delay to Crypto Tax, to Consult Government After Caucus Meeting

South Korea’s Democratic Party is reviewing ways to revise the virtual-asset tax regime, including a further delay, ahead of its scheduled implementation in January next year.

Newsis reported on October 27 that floor leader Han Byung-do told a strategy meeting on the National Assembly’s state audit that the party would review concerns surrounding crypto taxation, gather internal views at a general meeting of lawmakers, and then consult with the government.

Key issues include whether overseas virtual-asset trading records can be secured at a level sufficient for taxation and whether the tax burden could fall disproportionately on users of domestic exchanges. Han also said the party needs to check whether a tax system reflecting actual trading conditions has been put in place.

The Democratic Party plans to gather views at a general meeting of lawmakers later in the day on adjusting the implementation timing and improving the system, then relay those opinions to the government. It also plans to speed up legislation on the Digital Asset Basic Act, which is intended to define the legal nature of virtual assets and establish a broader regulatory framework for the industry.

Kwon Chil-seung, the party’s policy committee chair, said opinion remains sharply divided over whether to proceed with the tax. Concerns center on the lack of a sufficient legal foundation for virtual assets and the possibility of heavier burdens on young investors. At the same time, others argue that gains should be taxed in the interest of tax fairness.

Kim Han-kyu, the senior deputy floor leader for policy, said the party is also reviewing the view that the same tax standards should apply to crypto and other investment assets such as stocks and bonds. With only about two months left before the planned rollout, the Democratic Party intends to move quickly on consultations with the government and finalize its policy direction.

The virtual-asset tax was introduced through a revision to the income tax law in December 2020, but its implementation has been postponed three times because of insufficient investor safeguards and tax infrastructure. Under the current timetable, it would take effect in January 2027.

The presidential office is also discussing another delay to the start of taxation, according to the report. Still, no decision has been made, and the specific direction will be determined through further consultations between the party and the government.