Democratic Party Of South Korea To Delay Crypto Tax After Facing Investor Backlash

In a latest development, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed on Sunday to delay the controversial crypto tax for two years following investor backlash. The latest move pushes the tax’s implementation to 2027, marking a significant shift in the country’s stance on digital asset taxation, allowing the market additional time to adapt.

“After extensive discussions, we concluded that additional institutional arrangements are necessary for the virtual asset taxation,” DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae said during the press meeting at the National Assembly. “We have agreed to defer taxation for two years.”

Park also noted that the decision was made after a ‘prolonged deliberation, debate, and political judgment.’

This decision comes after months of disagreement between the ruling PPP and the KDP. While the PPP supported a three-year grace period, the KDP had previously pushed for implementing the tax in 2025 and had accused the ruling party of using delays as a political strategy regarding South Korea crypto tax policies.

South Korea’s Journey In Crypto Taxes

South Korea’s journey toward taxing cryptocurrency gains began in 2021 when the government proposed a 20% tax on digital asset profits exceeding $1,800 annually. However, criticisms from investors and industry stakeholders led to repeated delays. Notably, the South Korea crypto tax’s implementation was initially pushed to 2023, then to 2025, and now to 2027.

The current tax framework charges taxes on gains exceeding 2.5 million won, whereas stock trading profits are taxed only above 50 million won, a disparity that has been heavily criticised.

Government’s Plans To Impose Crypto Taxes

Beginning next year, the government had planned to impose a 22 percent tax, including local taxes, on annual income exceeding 2.5 million won ($1,790) from virtual asset investments. Although the policy had already been postponed twice, the DPK initially intended to implement the taxation plan by raising the tax exemption threshold to 50 million won.

However, the widespread criticism from the increasing number of crypto investors and opposition from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) led the party to agree to a further postponement.

South Korea Remains Key Player In Global Market

South Korea remains a key player in the global crypto market. Notably, the decision to delay taxation of the South Korea crypto tax reflects the government’s cautious approach to balance regulation with market growth. 

Notably, in the first half of 2024, the country’s daily crypto trading volume soared 67% from the previous period to six trillion won. Local media source Naver also reported that the number of domestic investors increased by 21%, reaching 7.78 million, with Bitcoin and Ethereum comprising the majority of holdings.