Bank of Korea

Crypto / Digital Assets

Korea Tests Autonomous AI Payment System Using Digital Currency Tokens

By Mark Johnston | 26/01/2026

The BOK and LG CNS have successfully demonstrated a payment infrastructure allowing AI agents to autonomously transact using blockchain-based deposit tokens.

Fintech / Regtech

Bank of Korea Unveils 'World First ‘Sovereign’ AI Platform

By Mark Johnston | 25/01/2026

BOK's in-house LLM is a test case for data security, sovereignty, and reforming Korea's strict network separation rules.

Securities / Derivatives

Korea Secures KRW 1,240 Trillion for "Productive Finance" Push

By Manesh Samtani | 23/01/2026

The regulator has urged financial firms to shift from collateral-based lending and redesign internal performance metrics to support high-tech industries.

Capital / Liquidity

Korea’s Hyundai Card Revives Kimchi Bonds After 15-year Freeze

By Mark Johnston | 21/01/2026

Hyundai Card priced a USD 20 million deal after the central bank lifted a ban on local foreign-currency bond investments to support the won.

Enforcement

Korea Refers Chinese Nationals to Prosecutors in $102m Crypto Laundering Case

By Mark Johnston | 20/01/2026

Customs officials allege the group disguised illicit funds as medical fees, highlighting Seoul’s enforcement-led approach to cross-border digital assets.

Capital / Liquidity

Korea to Revamp Mortgage Guarantee Fees to Curb High-Value Loans

By Editors | 16/01/2026

The FSC confirmed a new tiered contribution rate system for mortgage guarantees, effective April, amid slowing household loan growth.

Enforcement

Korea Launches Multi-agency Task Force to Curb Illicit FX Flows

By Manesh Samtani | 16/01/2026

New six-agency body to target underground banking and asset flight as regulators also lean on banks to curb dollar demand.

Enforcement

Korean Prosecutors Indict 10 in KRW 74.4 Billion IBK Loan Fraud Probe

By Mark Johnston | 15/01/2026

Former executives at the state-run lender face trial for bribery and breach of trust following a referral by financial regulators.

Trending

Korea Unveils FX, Capital Market Reform Roadmap for MSCI Upgrade

By Manesh Samtani | 12/01/2026

Regulators detailed plans for 24-hour FX trading, easier investor access, and spot crypto ETFs under new "2026 Economic Growth Strategy".