South Korea crypto election results are shaking up the country’s political and economic future with bold crypto promises.
Lee Jae-myung, the center-left Democratic Party leader, has been sworn in as president after winning decisively. The June 3 snap election followed six months of political chaos after former president Yoon Suk-yeol imposed martial law. Lee secured over 49% of the vote, defeating conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 41%, according to officials. Lee’s platform leaned heavily on digital finance and progressive crypto policies. He vowed to let the $884 billion national pension fund invest in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. This promise alone captured attention across global crypto markets and in South Korea’s vibrant tech community. He also committed to legalizing Bitcoin ETFs and supporting the development of local crypto platforms.
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Lee’s win sparks optimism in South Korea’s crypto market
His victory sent shockwaves through crypto exchanges, spiking Bitcoin prices on Bithumb and Upbit to 149,000 won. This was nearly 2% higher than global prices—a surge caused by the so-called kimchi premium. Lee’s presidency is already considered a turning point for blockchain adoption in East Asia. Notably, he has proposed launching a Korean Won-backed stablecoin to modernize the economy. This stablecoin would help reduce capital outflows and strengthen South Korea’s financial sovereignty. “We need to establish a won-backed stablecoin market to prevent national wealth from leaking overseas,” Lee stated.
His approach mixes domestic protection with global engagement, aiming to place South Korea at the forefront of crypto finance. While Kim Moon-soo also favored crypto ETFs and regulatory easing, voters clearly backed Lee’s bolder vision.
South Korea crypto election could signal global Web3 leadership
The South Korea crypto election wasn’t just about Bitcoin—it could redefine economic leadership in the region. Lee has also pledged support for AI, defense innovation, and reducing working hours for citizens. He promised to remove politics from legal systems and prevent future military coups. As South Korea navigates tensions with the US and China, Lee’s crypto-forward stance may offer strategic leverage. Whether crypto gets top policy priority remains to be seen. But his inauguration speech clearly tied economic recovery to digital innovation and tech investment.