Lee & Ko Partner Seonghwan JU Receives Deputy Prime Minister’s Commendation for Contributions to Stablecoin Regulation

On January 2, 2026, Maeil Business Newspaper reported that Seonghwan JU, Partner at Lee & Ko, received a commendation from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Korea in recognition of his significant contributions to the development of Korea’s foreign exchange regulatory framework for stablecoins.

Mr. Ju has actively participated in the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s initiatives to establish and refine regulatory regimes governing virtual assets, with a particular focus on stablecoins. His work has played an important role in shaping policy discussions on the legal classification and regulatory treatment of stablecoins within Korea’s foreign exchange regulatory system.

He is the co-author of the influential report “Legal Status of Stablecoins and Regulatory Framework under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act,” which provides an in-depth analysis of the impact of stablecoins on the real economy, financial markets, and foreign exchange markets. The report has been widely recognized for proposing practical regulatory structures designed to promote sound market development while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of supervisory oversight.

The commendation reflects the Ministry’s recognition of Mr. Ju’s expertise and his meaningful contribution to the advancement of Korea’s regulatory framework for digital assets, particularly in the rapidly evolving stablecoin sector.