{"id":2207164,"date":"2024-11-15T14:11:48","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T05:11:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207164"},"modified":"2024-11-18T18:18:36","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T09:18:36","slug":"south-korea-grapples-with-how-to-stymie-crypto-fueled-drug-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/11\/south-korea-grapples-with-how-to-stymie-crypto-fueled-drug-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea grapples with how to stymie crypto-fueled drug trade"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea is well-known for its <\/span>strict stance on drug use<\/span><\/a>, often branding itself as a \u201cclean\u201d society with zero tolerance for illegal substances.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the use of cryptocurrencies to facilitate online drug purchases presents a rising challenge, as the decentralized and pseudonymous nature of digital assets is complicating efforts to maintain control over the illegal drug trade.<\/span><\/p>\n In August, the <\/span>Seoul Southern District Prosecutors\u2019 Office<\/span><\/a> uncovered a network of university students buying drugs with cryptocurrencies. This case is far from isolated; <\/span>similar incidents<\/span><\/a> in 2022 involved drug purchases via messaging platforms like Telegram, paid for using cryptocurrencies.<\/span><\/p>\n With the rise of non-face-to-face drug transactions and digital currency use, South Korean authorities face mounting pressure to tighten their regulatory framework \u2014 without stifling a burgeoning financial sector.<\/span><\/p>\n HOW CRYPTOCURRENCIES FACILITATE DRUG PURCHASES<\/b><\/p>\n One of the critical factors making cryptocurrencies attractive to drug dealers is their ease of use and relative anonymity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As seen in the case of the university students, users can make payments through crypto exchanges and transfer funds to drug dealers using messaging apps like Telegram. The drugs are then hidden in drop locations, eliminating the need for direct contact between buyers and sellers.<\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, South Korea saw a significant 50% increase in drug-related arrests, with over 27,000 individuals apprehended, according to a white paper on Drug Crime published by the Supreme Prosecutor\u2019s Office\u2019s Narcotics and Organized Crime Department.<\/span><\/p>\n Authorities have cited the rise of cryptocurrency transactions and secure messaging apps as major contributing factors. Despite the perception that cryptocurrencies offer complete anonymity, this is not entirely accurate. While blockchain transactions are pseudonymous, they are also publicly recorded and traceable with the right tools and expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n This traceability allowed South Korean police to track cryptocurrency transactions in the aforementioned case in August, uncovering the identities of buyers like \u201cUser A\u201d who spent over $8,800 (12 million won) on illicit drugs in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n Anndy Lian, an intergovernmental blockchain advisor, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that the inherent transparency of blockchain can deter criminals but that many falsely assume that crypto transactions are entirely anonymous.<\/span><\/p>\n Dealers in South Korea advertise their Telegram channels on Korean-language social media | Image: Korea Pro (edited)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n TIGHTENING REGULATIONS<\/b><\/p>\n South Korea has made significant strides in regulating its cryptocurrency sector, aiming to balance innovation with law enforcement.<\/span><\/p>\n In 2024, the <\/span>Virtual Asset User Protection Act<\/span><\/a> (VAUPA) came into effect, marking a critical step toward enhancing transparency and protecting users from illicit activities. VAUPA primarily targets Virtual Asset Service Providers, imposing strict requirements like real-name verification for account holders, anti-money laundering procedures (AML) and cybersecurity measures.<\/span><\/p>\n These efforts are aligned with global recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which emphasizes the <\/span>importance of AML<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Know Your Customer<\/span><\/a> (KYC) rules in regulating digital assets.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s measures also include <\/span>requirements<\/span><\/a> for exchanges to register with the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and partner with domestic banks, further ensuring that cryptocurrency transactions are traceable.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite these frameworks, experts like Ohoon Kwon, a managing partner at Cha & Kwon law offices, argue that fully crypto-based transactions remain difficult to track, especially when criminals use advanced money-laundering techniques.<\/span><\/p>\n Kwon stresses the importance of increasing South Korea\u2019s capacity to detect and prevent crypto-facilitated crimes, urging the government to invest in more sophisticated tracking technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, there is an increasing recognition that regulation needs to account for the global nature of cryptocurrencies. South Korea has sought to align its regulatory framework with <\/span>international norms<\/span><\/a> due to the cross-border nature of digital assets.<\/span><\/p>\n This means not only improving local law enforcement’s capabilities but also collaborating with international bodies to ensure that cryptocurrencies are not exploited for illicit purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n IMPACT OF STRICTER REGULATIONS<\/b><\/p>\n While South Korea is tightening the noose on illicit crypto transactions, concerns are growing that overly stringent regulations could stifle innovation in the burgeoning crypto sector.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea has emerged as a hub for blockchain development, with events like the annual Korea Blockchain Week attracting international attention. Moreover, the South Korean won <\/span>surpassed<\/span><\/a> the U.S. dollar in cumulative crypto trading volume during the first quarter of 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n The enactment of VAUPA has already placed significant pressure on cryptocurrency exchanges, many of which struggle to comply with the rigorous regulatory standards.<\/span><\/p>\n By requiring exchanges to partner with banks for real-name verification, smaller players have been driven out of business due to the reluctance of major banks to bear the financial crime risks associated with crypto.<\/span><\/p>\n Justin Kim of Ava Labs told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that while bad actors have always exploited new technologies, overregulation could hinder growth in what is one of Asia\u2019s leading crypto markets. Similarly, Rich O, a country manager at OneKey, criticized the South Korean government\u2019s disconnect from Web3 companies, warning that overly harsh measures may stifle the industry\u2019s development.<\/span><\/p>\n