The South Korean government has taken stringent measures in an effort to combat the rise in the number of crimes associated to cryptocurrency. In an effort to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement, the nation has made its interim crypto investigative unit permanent.

Initially functioning as a temporary agency under the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office, the Joint Virtual Asset Crime Investigation Unit will soon be elevated to the status of an official department upon its promotion. The detection, prevention, and resolution of crypto-criminal actions are all likely to improve as a result of this decision.

This new unit, which is comprised of professionals from a variety of sectors, including prosecution, finance, and intelligence, is a multidisciplinary approach to combating this complex financial crime, according to Segye Ilbo, which was reported by the local media on Monday, April 28, 2024.

Taking Action in the Face of Rising Crypto Crime

This change is a direct result of the fact that crimes involving virtual assets are becoming more complicated and intricate, necessitating cross-jurisdictional cooperation and expert understanding.

Crimes involving cryptocurrency have recently surged across the nation. A study dated February 2023 by the Financial Intelligence Unit of South Korea stated that local cryptocurrency companies reported 16,076 questionable transactions, an increase of 49% over the previous year.

On top of that, on July 19, South Korea will launch its own set of thorough crypto rules with the goal of safeguarding investors. Those who manipulate cryptocurrency markets face harsher criminal penalties, including life terms in some instances, according to the new legislation.

The aggressive measures taken by South Korea are indicative of a worldwide tendency, as governments everywhere work to tighten oversight and control of the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency sector. The worldwide character of crypto crimes necessitates cooperation between international entities and South Korea's investigation agency.

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