South Korea's Financial Services Commission is exploring the introduction of a 'payment freeze' system in the virtual asset market to preemptively restrict fund outflows from accounts suspected of market manipulation. This measure, akin to the account freezing mechanism used in the stock market, is proposed as part of the second phase of virtual asset regulation legislation. Regulators believe that since virtual assets can be easily concealed once transferred to personal wallets, the new system will help swiftly block the flow of illicit gains and enhance investor protection.