In the real estate market, housing complexes with pet-friendly community facilities are drawing attention. The photo shows Hanwha Forena Cheongju Maebong’s ‘Pet Friends Park’ (dog playground) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. (Image provided by Hanwha Construction)
SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — With more than one in four South Korean households now raising a pet, real estate developers are racing to appeal to so-called “pet families” by building apartments with dedicated pet-friendly amenities.
According to data released Thursday by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 28.6 percent of households — some 4.99 million dogs and 2.77 million cats — lived with companion animals in 2024, up steadily from 21.8 percent in 2015.
In response, major builders are introducing specialized designs to ease tensions in increasingly pet-heavy apartment complexes. Hanwha has added dog playgrounds at new sites such as Forena Cheonan Dujeong, while Daewoo has incorporated pet facilities into developments in Uiwang and Siheung.
Kolon Global has unveiled pet-focused landscaping, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction has launched “H With Pet,” a suite of tailored pet spaces.
These features not only cater to pet owners but also help reduce disputes among residents. Shared spaces such as parks often spark complaints from non-pet owners about unleashed animals; designated play areas provide a buffer that allows both groups to coexist more comfortably.
Several new projects highlight the trend. Hanwha’s upcoming Forena Ulsan Mugeo complex, due to open for sale this month, will include a dog playground and optional in-unit features such as pet showers and non-slip bathroom pads. Hyundai’s Hillstate Hoeryong Park View near Uijeongbu will feature its “H With Pet” program, while Kolon’s Skychae Luciere in Daejeon will combine children’s and pet facilities in a hybrid “life care” design.
The push reflects both demographic change and market strategy: as birth rates fall and pet ownership rises, developers are betting that apartments designed with animals in mind will become a powerful selling point in Korea’s crowded housing market.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
