为楼市降温 韩国新规限制外国人买房

Core Viewpoint - The South Korean government has implemented new regulations to restrict foreign real estate purchases in response to rising housing prices driven by non-residential demand from foreign investors [1][2]. Group 1: New Regulations - Starting August 26, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has designated areas in Seoul and surrounding regions as foreign land transaction permission zones, requiring foreign individuals and entities to obtain government approval for residential purchases over 6 square meters [1]. - Foreign buyers must occupy the property within four months of approval and reside there for at least two years, with violations subject to fines up to 10% of the property price [1]. - The new rules aim to curb foreign investors from using financial advantages to inflate housing prices, especially as domestic loan limits have been tightened [2]. Group 2: Market Trends - The volume of foreign housing transactions in the Seoul metropolitan area increased from 4,568 units in 2022 to 6,363 units in 2023, with a further rise to 7,296 units [1]. - The real estate market in South Korea has experienced significant fluctuations, with prices rising over 40% from 2020 to 2021, followed by a decline of 18.63% in 2023 compared to 2022 [3]. - The housing price index (KHPI) fell to 93.8 in May 2023, down from a historical high of 103.793 in November 2017, marking a 12-month consecutive decline [3]. Group 3: Future Outlook - After a year of adjustments, signs of recovery in the housing market were noted in mid-2023, with a 0.15% month-on-month increase in the housing price index in July 2024 [4]. - The average sales price of residential properties in the capital region increased by 0.1% in the first half of 2023, with Seoul's prices rising by 0.39% during the same period [4]. - Despite the recovery in certain areas, non-capital regions continue to experience price declines due to economic instability and an oversupply of unsold properties [4].