As the government recently released a tax reform plan targeting high-priced dwellings, the apartment market in Seoul's Gangnam area turned weak. However, apartment prices in the outskirts of Seoul remained strong.
According to the nationwide weekly apartment trends for the second week of Aug. 2026 (as of the 10th) released by the Korea Real Estate Board (REB) on the 13th, apartment sale prices in Seoul rose 0.21% from the previous week. The rate of increase narrowed from the previous week's 0.26%.
In the Gangnam area, key redevelopment and high-priced complexes saw adjustments, leading to declines in Seocho District (-0.04%) and Gangnam District (-0.02%). Seocho District turned downward for the first time in 16 weeks since the fourth week of April this year, and Gangnam District for the first time in 14 weeks since the second week of May.
By contrast, rises were notable in Jungnang District (0.46%), Seongbuk District (0.43%), and Seodaemun District (0.41%). Jung District (0.40%) and Gangbuk District (0.40%) also posted high gains. Outlying complexes in the southwestern part of the city, including Gwanak District (0.34%) and Geumcheon District (0.30%), also climbed.
An official at the Real Estate Board said, "While a wait-and-see mood emerged in some areas and a falling transaction occurred, contracts rose mainly in large complexes and areas near subway stations where demand remains steady, lifting Seoul overall."
Gyeonggi Province (0.14%) and Incheon (0.01%) also maintained gains. In Gyeonggi, Jungwon District in Seongnam (0.55%), Byeongjeom District in Hwaseong (0.42%), and Gwangmyeong (0.40%) led the increases, while Icheon (-0.14%) and Paju (-0.10%) fell, mainly among older complexes. In Incheon, Bupyeong District (0.02%) and Yeonsu District (0.03%) rose, while Gyeyang District (-0.02%) and Geomdan District (-0.01%) declined.
Outside the Seoul metropolitan area (0.01%), North Chungcheong (0.07%), North Jeolla (0.07%), and Ulsan (0.05%) recorded gains, while Jeju (-0.06%), North Gyeongsang (-0.03%), South Chungcheong (-0.03%), and Daegu (-0.01%) declined. Sejong rose 0.01%.
The lease market also continued to rise, centered on the Seoul metropolitan area. Nationwide weekly apartment jeonse prices rose 0.09%, with larger gains in the metropolitan area (0.15%) and in Seoul (0.20%).
In Seoul's jeonse market, steady tenant demand absorbed listings mainly in large complexes and areas near subway stations with good residential conditions, maintaining an uptrend. Gains continued in key northern districts such as Seongbuk District (0.40%), Nowon District (0.35%), and Seodaemun District (0.29%). In the Gangnam area, Gangnam District (-0.03%) edged down, but Geumcheon District (0.38%), Dongjak District (0.32%), and Songpa District (0.23%) rose, resulting in an overall increase.
Incheon (0.12%) saw jeonse prices rise mainly in Bupyeong District (0.21%) and Yeongjong District (0.18%), while Gyeonggi Province (0.13%) posted gains chiefly in Hanam (0.39%) and Giheung District in Yongin (0.38%). However, jeonse prices fell in Icheon, Gyeonggi (-0.20%) and Bundang District in Seongnam (-0.05%).
In the provinces, jeonse prices rose an average of 0.03%. Ulsan (0.11%), North Chungcheong (0.09%), and South Gyeongsang (0.07%) continued to climb, but Sejong (-0.07%) turned downward due to new move-in supply and reduced demand. Jeju (-0.04%), Gangwon (0.02%), and North Gyeongsang (-0.01%) also remained weak.