South Korea to bring digital assets under new state asset management system

South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance is modernizing its 1950-era State Property Act by introducing the National Asset Basic Act to incorporate digital assets and intellectual property into its state-asset management framework. This strategic shift aims to transition from a legacy real estate-focused model toward a value-creation system that leverages blockchain technology. A central component of this initiative includes a 2027 pilot project to tokenize government bonds, which will be integrated with the Bank of Korea’s central bank digital currency infrastructure. Furthermore, the government plans to explore the tokenization of state-owned real estate to facilitate broader retail participation and distribute generated returns to the public. The ministry is also preparing for a full rollout of tokenized deposits for government operational spending by the fourth quarter of 2026. These efforts are supported by upcoming amendments to the Capital Markets Act and Electronic Securities Act, which will legally recognize blockchain ledgers as valid securities registries starting February 4, 2027. By formalizing these frameworks, South Korea is positioning itself to integrate blockchain technology into its national economic infrastructure, signaling a major institutional commitment to the RWA sector.