housing market Archives | Be Korea-savvy
South Korea’s Rental Market Sees Record Shift Toward Monthly Leases

South Korea’s Rental Market Sees Record Shift Toward Monthly Leases

SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) —  The share of monthly rental contracts in South Korea’s housing market reached a record high in 2024, nearing 60% of all lease agreements, as rising interest rates and concerns over rental fraud (in particular jeonse frauds) accelerated the transition away from traditional lump-sum deposits. According to data from the Supreme [...]

Changing Apartment Preferences: Green Spaces and Comfort Take Priority in Korea’s Housing Market

Changing Apartment Preferences: Green Spaces and Comfort Take Priority in Korea’s Housing Market

SEOUL, July 9 (Korea Bizwire) — The criteria for Koreans choosing an apartment, the most common form of housing in the country, are undergoing a transformation. In the past, the proximity to subway stations, known as ‘Yeokssekwon’ or station areas, was considered an essential factor due to its emphasis on transportation convenience. However, there is [...]

Civic Action Coalition Calls for Higher Tax Rates for Property Owners

Civic Action Coalition Calls for Higher Tax Rates for Property Owners

SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Korea Bizwire) —Various civic groups that claim the problem of land speculation in Korea cannot be overcome without increasing property holding tax have come together to launch a civic action coalition calling for stronger measures. Civic groups such as Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice and Mibyun’s Committee on People’s Livelihood & Economy [...]

ABS Issuance Dips 27 Pct in 2016 on Weak Property Market

ABS Issuance Dips 27 Pct in 2016 on Weak Property Market

SEOUL, March 7 (Korea Bizwire) – The issuance of asset-backed securities (ABS) in South Korea tumbled nearly 27 percent in 2016 from a year earlier as the local property market remained sluggish, data showed Tuesday.  The amount of ABS issues totaled 60.7 trillion won (US$52.6 billion) last year, down 26.8 percent from the previous year, [...]

Homebuying in Seoul for Youngsters Equivalent to 38 Years of Full Savings

Homebuying in Seoul for Youngsters Equivalent to 38 Years of Full Savings

SEOUL, Nov. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – It would take more than 38 years for the young generation of today to save enough money be able to buy an apartment in the capital, if they save all of their disposable income, statistics showed Monday.  The average monthly disposable income for people 39 years old or under [...]

Gov’t to Curb Household Debts by Shrinking New House Supplies

Gov’t to Curb Household Debts by Shrinking New House Supplies

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea will control the supply of new apartments in a bid to curb demand for mortgage loans, the main culprit for soaring household debt in Asia’s fourth-largest economy, government officials announced Thursday.  Household credit jumped 11.1 percent on-year to an all-time high of 1,257.3 trillion won (US$1,123.5 billion) [...]