South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection recommends including digital assets in the assessment of basic pension assets.

According to Digital Asset, South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) released a report on April 13 recommending that the Ministry of Health and Welfare amend relevant laws to include overseas financial assets with economic value—and digital assets (virtual assets)—in the asset assessment for basic pension eligibility. The BAI pointed out that digital assets are currently excluded from asset evaluations, potentially allowing high-income individuals holding substantial digital assets to still qualify for basic pensions. The report recommends that digital assets be explicitly included in applicants’ income and asset declaration forms, and that information-sharing mechanisms with relevant agencies be strengthened to improve data collection. The Ministry of Health and Welfare endorsed the recommendation, emphasizing the need to enhance oversight to ensure fairness in basic pension disbursements and prevent fiscal resource leakage.