South Korean Regulators Discuss Proposals for ICO Legislation

Korean lawmakers are increasingly pushing for the regulation of initial coin offerings (ICOs) with multiple bills currently pending at the National Assembly. This includes a proposed amendment to the Electronic Financial Transactions Act. Meanwhile, the Korean Blockchain Association has also come up with its own set of guidelines for crypto exchanges and ICOs.

Five Crypto-Related Bills

There are more than five crypto-related bills pending in the National Assembly, Chosun wrote on Friday. In addition, lawmaker Park Yong-jin of the Democratic Party has proposed an amendment to the Electronic Financial Transactions Act, which would regulate cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings, the publication added.

Furthermore, ICO issuers must ensure that their tokens adhere to certain standards and obtain approval from the Financial Services Commission (FSC) before launching ICOs, Asia Economy TV explained. Chosun added that with the FSC being part of the process, it will “strengthen the stability and credibility” of the crypto industry.

Looking Abroad

“Min Byung-doo, a Democratic Party member asked [the FSC about] the possibility of a change in the government’s policy on the ICO ban,” the Korea Economic Daily reported. He explained that a number of other countries such as the U.S., Switzerland, and Singapore have embraced ICOs.

Responding to Min’s question, FSC Chairman Choi Jong-ku emphasized that “The current policy of banning ICOs has not changed,” adding:

After token sales were banned in September last year, local companies have been fulfilling their needs abroad in countries which allow ICOs, such as Singapore and Switzerland.

Self-Regulatory Plans

The association’s chairman, Chin Dae-je, detailed that an ICO will be permitted after the group has examined the feasibility of the project by reviewing its whitepaper, the publication conveyed. The whitepaper must include information such as project name, services, investors, technology sources, schedules, and investment risks. In addition, the token issuer must collect “only transparent funds” from identified investors.

Also in the guidelines is an exchange registration system, a capital requirement of more than 2 billion won (~$1.77 million), listing criteria, fee disclosure requirements, a complaint management system, and anti-money laundering (AML) requirements.