South Korea elected new Bitcoin-friendly President

[headingnorth]

Add economic powerhouse South Korea to the growing list of countries adopting bitcoin at the national level.

This was a special election following a time of great political turmoil in the country. It was caused by the
impeachment of the former S. Korean president who attempted to declare martial law at the end of last year.

June 4, 2025

Crypto-friendly Lee Jae-myung was elected as South Korea's new president on Wednesday,
defeating the incumbent Conservative Party's leader Kim Moon-soo.

During the election Lee made a number of promises to South Korea's crypto industry, appealing to
the nation's 15 million crypto investors. These included legalizing spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds
and allowing institutional investors like the National Pension Fund to make investments into certain cryptocurrencies
and products, local media outlet The Korea Herald said in May.

Yahoo

[rodskee]

Add economic powerhouse South Korea to the growing list of countries adopting bitcoin at the national level.

i would not add them yet until the president actually starts making some moves and really start making true to his promises because so far a lot of presidents have been making promises but not a lot have been actually making some real progress but if this president does in fact stay true to his words south korean crypto enthusiasts will benefit a lot

[fikrett]

Let's see how it goes!

Actions will speak louder than words.

[shield132]

In terms of GDP, South Korea is ranked number 14. If they approve Bitcoin Spot ETFs and they also allow crypto investments for the National Pension Service, it will boost Bitcoin's price. Not by much but it will be a nice boost. The best thing that I see here is that there is a high chance that other Asian countries will follow South Korea and do the same, which will really boost Bitcoin's price. Then other countries will automatically follow this trend and in the end, we will have Bitcoin Spot ETFs accepted in every economically strong country with pension funds also invested into it.
Now is really the time to hodl Bitcoins because soon every country will try to take it away from us. At least it's better to make them pay the high price rather than USD 100,000.

[melinoe]

In terms of GDP, South Korea is ranked number 14. If they approve Bitcoin Spot ETFs and they also allow crypto investments for the National Pension Service, it will boost Bitcoin's price. Not by much but it will be a nice boost. The best thing that I see here is that there is a high chance that other Asian countries will follow South Korea and do the same, which will really boost Bitcoin's price. Then other countries will automatically follow this trend and in the end, we will have Bitcoin Spot ETFs accepted in every economically strong country with pension funds also invested into it.
Now is really the time to hodl Bitcoins because soon every country will try to take it away from us. At least it's better to make them pay the high price rather than USD 100,000.

South Korea is a highly developed country too, and it has much of the funds going around on something like BTC, and they can make big breakthroughs here if they want to do so, because they have the resources!

And I agree with the adoption statement - we are still in its wake.

[Doan9269]

Let's expect this should be a new beginning for them, I hope so this new regime will have something better to offer than before, also, that they are going to make it very possible for bitcoin users to have a smooth experience in using bitcoin in the country with fare regulations, I hope so that many of these countries adopting bitcoin strategic reserve be able to deliver to their people as well as having consideration more on bitcoin in cryptocurrency, adoption for legal tender and every other activities that could help and support every bitcoin users in the country.

Congratulations to the new president elect.

[betswift]

Let's expect this should be a new beginning for them, I hope so this new regime will have something better to offer than before, also, that they are going to make it very possible for bitcoin users to have a smooth experience in using bitcoin in the country with fare regulations, I hope so that many of these countries adopting bitcoin strategic reserve be able to deliver to their people as well as having consideration more on bitcoin in cryptocurrency, adoption for legal tender and every other activities that could help and support every bitcoin users in the country.

Congratulations to the new president elect.

Some will be there sooner, some - later, but everybody will see through the FUD and utilize BTC in one form or another, big and small.

And that's what is truly great.

[knowngunman]

Well, congratulations to him for winning the election and to the South Korean at large but let not get over excited over his election by his crypto profile. We are already familiar with the game now and nothing will surprise us again if he chooses to be a different person after becoming the president.

Having a pro crypto president is supposed to be a boost for the nation and the whole crypto industry but from what we have seen so far, there is no much to be excited about. It's more of a theory than practical but I hope the new South Korea president will change the narrative for good.

[Altryist]

I was actually reading today that in South Korea a crypto friendly president won the presidential election. After Trump’s victory it showed that this kind of approach can bring results and it is not surprising that other candidates want to use it in their election campaigns. The most important thing for me in such cases is that their promises do not end right after they win the election. They need to fulfill at least part of what they promised and not just sign executive orders and a Bitcoin reserve like Trump did but actually fill that reserve with Bitcoin. I hope that South Korea will become another crypto friendly country.

[MinoRaiola]

The president maybe make it easier for bitcoin to be better accepted in this country.

A company in this country wants to invest 500 million dollars in bitcoin to create a bitcoin reserve. Ted Kim the CEO said this in a interview. The company is called K Wave Media Ltd. and was listed on the Nasdaq. I think a few others will now publicly show their bitcoin strategy, the value of the stock will pump for all of them. The value of the K Wave Media Ltd. stock has pump over 150%, they should thank bitcoin.

[OcTradism]

Add economic powerhouse South Korea to the growing list of countries adopting bitcoin at the national level.

This was a special election following a time of great political turmoil in the country. It was caused by the
impeachment of the former S. Korean president who attempted to declare martial law at the end of last year.

This man, this new President Elect in South Korea is China friendly politician and I am very doubtful that he does not try to copy many policies from China. We know that China under CCP are not a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency friendly nation, and if this President governs South Korea towards a same direction, this nation will become less friendly with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.

Based on political history in this nation, I don't concern about him too much because his Presidency might not last too long. South Korean are strong in their political demand and if this President can not satisfy citizens, he will become a next President Outsted in the South Korea.

[hugeblack]

In terms of GDP, South Korea is ranked number 14. If they approve Bitcoin Spot ETFs and they also allow crypto investments for the National Pension Service, it will boost Bitcoin's price. Not by much but it will be a nice boost.

I believe the impact of Bitcoin Spot ETFs has ended after the US funds were approved, so the impact of this news on the price will be limited, but overall it is good for South Koreans.

[avikz]

Still a lot of unknowns. We will see how it goes in reality. People may use crypto related agendas to win an election. Do ald Trump did it but started delivering it slowly. So I am not sure if the new president of South Korea will actually fulfill these agenda in reality or not.

But I am sure it will be great if he really brings in changes and provide a comprehensive legal framework for cryptos in South Korea.

[Su-asa]

I think it's obvious that some politicians are now using the strategy of Donald Trump to do their campaign so that they can get supporters from the crypto investors. However it's still a good thing that he won the election and he will not stop in promoting the use of crypto currency (Bitcoin) in his country. The adoption of crypto currency (Bitcoin) is increasing everyday and also becoming popular in the world.

[john_egbert]

In terms of GDP, South Korea is ranked number 14. If they approve Bitcoin Spot ETFs and they also allow crypto investments for the National Pension Service, it will boost Bitcoin's price. Not by much but it will be a nice boost.

I believe the impact of Bitcoin Spot ETFs has ended after the US funds were approved, so the impact of this news on the price will be limited, but overall it is good for South Koreans.

Only if multiple countries, preferably big ones, did the same, it would really affect the sentiment; otherwise, I do agree, I hope people will benefit from it the most.

[headingnorth]

The most bitcoin-friendly countries in Asia so far:

South Asia:
Bhutan
Pakistan

East Asia:
Hong Kong (part of China)
Singapore
South Korea
Japan (bitcoin legal for use as payment)

Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand:
Bitcoin legal for investing, trading, remittances

Thailand allows tourists to pay with bitcoin

[Rruchi man]

~

I feel that eventually we will get to a stage where the political landscape of each country will have individuals who are friendly to Bitcoin, considering that the old fellow politicians are already aging and may no longer be viable to hold political office based on their health and age.

The new set of individuals who are young and getting into office are likely to be bitcoin-friendly and even bear the right information about bitcoins to make policies that favor its growth.

[FortuneFollower]

~

I feel that eventually we will get to a stage where the political landscape of each country will have individuals who are friendly to Bitcoin, considering that the old fellow politicians are already aging and may no longer be viable to hold political office based on their health and age.

The new set of individuals who are young and getting into office are likely to be bitcoin-friendly and even bear the right information about bitcoins to make policies that favor its growth.

Some will do that only for the votes, some - out of true curiosity and desire to look through the space and find value in it.

We will see how much of which people will be there, because these times are truly near us.

[peter0425]

Let's expect this should be a new beginning for them, I hope so this new regime will have something better to offer than before, also, that they are going to make it very possible for bitcoin users to have a smooth experience in using bitcoin in the country with fare regulations, I hope so that many of these countries adopting bitcoin strategic reserve be able to deliver to their people as well as having consideration more on bitcoin in cryptocurrency, adoption for legal tender and every other activities that could help and support every bitcoin users in the country.

Not only will the bitcoin enthusiasts benefit from this but also the country itself will for sure see a difference once their country becomes the place for crypto. Other bitcoin enthusiasts from other countries in the region are looking for other places if their own countries do not offer looser restrictions when it comes to bitcoin so with South Korea making promising progress like this more people would want to do their business on South Korea and help them in their economy and innovation sectors.

[john_egbert]

Not only will the bitcoin enthusiasts benefit from this but also the country itself will for sure see a difference once their country becomes the place for crypto. Other bitcoin enthusiasts from other countries in the region are looking for other places if their own countries do not offer looser restrictions when it comes to bitcoin so with South Korea making promising progress like this more people would want to do their business on South Korea and help them in their economy and innovation sectors.

Would they feel much a difference, though?

Sure, they would probably have some more alternatives to use, but overall, those not interested in crypto won't see much happening for themselves at all..