A recent investigation has uncovered that several South Korean lawmakers are directly invested in cryptocurrencies—including Bitcoin (BTC), XRP, and even meme tokens such as PEPE. The revelation underscores how digital assets, once dismissed as speculative or fringe, have now entered the portfolios of political leaders. It also highlights the blurred lines between policymaking and personal financial interest, sparking renewed debate about ethics, transparency, and governance in South Korea’s political system.
Lawmakers Favor Crypto Over Domestic Stocks
The probe revealed that members of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, a group responsible for shaping investment and cultural policy, appear to hold a stronger interest in cryptocurrencies and U.S. tech stocks than in the South Korean equity market. Instead of backing domestic companies, they are opting for exposure to blockchain tokens, metaverse projects, and global technology giants.
This shift suggests that Korean lawmakers, like retail and institutional investors worldwide, see digital assets and innovative tech firms as more attractive than traditional stocks. It also raises concerns that those creating policy for South Korea’s investment sector may themselves be influenced by personal stakes in crypto markets.
Jin Jong-oh’s Crypto Portfolio Skyrockets
Among the lawmakers, Jin Jong-oh, a member of the opposition People Power Party, has drawn particular attention. His disclosed holdings include 3,359 XRP tokens, along with positions in XCORE and Paycoin (PCI). What is striking is the performance of his portfolio: its value rose from roughly $1,768 to nearly $9,600, representing a fourfold increase within a relatively short period.
Such growth not only highlights the volatility and profit potential of cryptocurrencies but also shows how political figures are benefitting from the same market trends that dominate retail trading.
Family Holdings Reveal Deep Crypto Exposure
The investigation didn’t stop at individual lawmakers—it also revealed the crypto exposure of their families. In the case of Jin Jong-oh, his mother was found to hold a diverse portfolio of digital assets. She reportedly owns Bitcoin, Chiliz, The Sandbox, and an astonishing 3.2 billion PEPE tokens.
This demonstrates that interest in cryptocurrencies among political families is not limited to established assets like Bitcoin but extends into high-risk, speculative meme coins and metaverse projects. It paints a picture of lawmakers’ families becoming early adopters of emerging digital asset trends, much like young retail investors.
Cross-Party Appetite for Digital Assets
The investigation also found that crypto ownership spans across party lines. For example, Yang Moon-seok, a Democratic Party lawmaker, disclosed owning 452.6 XRP tokens worth around $1,355. Although smaller in scale compared to Jin Jong-oh’s holdings, it still reflects active participation in crypto markets among South Korea’s ruling party members.
The pattern becomes even more interesting when looking beyond crypto. Many lawmakers are reportedly invested in U.S. technology companies such as Microsoft, Apple, NVIDIA, Broadcom, and Tesla. Some also hold shares in unlisted Korean gaming firms like Xten Games and Memray, further emphasizing their preference for innovation-driven and high-growth sectors rather than traditional, stable domestic equities.
Why This Matters
The revelation that lawmakers are HODLing crypto assets raises several important concerns:
- Transparency and Ethics: Politicians who hold significant digital assets may face conflicts of interest when drafting or voting on crypto-related regulation.
- Public Trust: Citizens may question whether legislative decisions are made in the public’s best interest or influenced by personal portfolios.
- Regulatory Implications: The findings could accelerate reforms aimed at strengthening disclosure requirements, asset reporting, and ethical guidelines for political officeholders.
South Korea, already a country with a vibrant crypto market and strict regulatory frameworks, may now see even greater scrutiny of how lawmakers declare and manage their digital assets.
Conclusion
The investigation into South Korean lawmakers’ financial disclosures has revealed a surprising and growing interest in cryptocurrencies. From Bitcoin and XRP to speculative meme coins like PEPE, politicians are mirroring the investment patterns of everyday retail traders and even embracing metaverse tokens and gaming assets.
