Overview

• The government designated all 25 districts of Seoul as speculative and regulated zones and added 12 areas in Gyeonggi Province, with the designations taking effect Thursday.
• Lending rules now cap first-time buyers at a 40% loan-to-value ratio, and existing homeowners are barred from taking new mortgages in the regulated areas.
• Mortgage ceilings are set at 600 million won for homes up to 1.5 billion won, 400 million won for 1.5–2.5 billion won, and 200 million won for properties above 2.5 billion won.
• The designated areas will also become land transaction permit zones from Monday through Dec. 31, 2026, requiring prior approval for sales and at least two years of residency by buyers.
• Enforcement will expand with a new real estate crime oversight body under the Prime Minister’s Office, a Land Ministry task force, referrals to prosecutors and a special police unit, and the finance minister announced a review of property holding and transaction taxes.