Business · Economy · 17 hrs ago
Conflicting South Korean home price data fuels calls for reform
South Korean public and private agencies are publishing conflicting home price figures.
For October, the Korea Real Estate Board recorded a 1.38% fall in apartment prices in Seoul’s Gangnam district, while KB Real Estate reported a 0.29% fall and Real Estate 114 a 0.03% rise.
The agencies use different data and methods, including broker estimates, AI analysis and direct assessments by researchers when recent sales are unavailable.
These differences are making it harder for buyers, sellers and renters to judge the market and decide when to act.
President Lee Jae Myung has urged people to consider several indicators, including sales, listings, supply and interest rates, rather than rely on one figure.
Calls are growing for statistics based more on completed sales and for weekly figures to be treated as a short-term guide.
The Ministry of Land is discussing possible improvements with housing agencies, but no changes have been announced.
South Korean home price statistics from public and private agencies show sharply different trends, adding to distrust and confusion among market participants.
For October, the Korea Real Estate Board recorded a 1.38% decline in apartment prices in Seoul’s Gangnam district, while KB Real Estate reported a 0.29% decline and Real Estate 114 a 0.03% increase.
The agencies use different data sources and methods, including broker estimates, AI analysis and assessments by professional surveyors.
President Lee Jae-myung urged officials to consider a range of objective indicators when assessing housing prices and warned against selective use of statistics.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is discussing changes to improve the accuracy and usefulness of housing statistics.
Calls are growing for statistics based on completed property transactions, with weekly figures used only as supplementary indicators.
- Who
- South Korea’s public and private real estate data agencies, the government and housing market participants.
- What
- Conflicting home price statistics have fueled distrust and calls to reform how the figures are compiled.
- When
- The figures cited are for October; the article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Seoul’s Gangnam district, South Korea.
- Why
- Agencies use different survey samples and methods, producing sharply different results.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Korea Real Estate Board, KB Real Estate and Real Estate 114 reported different cumulative apartment price movements in Seoul’s Gangnam district.
Maeil Business published the article, which said the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was discussing ways to improve housing statistics.
- Gangnam, Korea Real Estate Board
- -1.38% apartment price change in October
- Gangnam, KB Real Estate
- -0.29% apartment price change in October
- Gangnam, Real Estate 114
- 0.03% apartment price change in October
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
- Discussing improvements with the Korea Real Estate Board and the Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG)
What people are saying
객관적 데이터와 통계가 국민에게 제대로 전달되는지 걱정
주택 가격을 예측하려면 거래량과 매물의 증감, 선도지역 거래 가격, 공급 흐름, 금리, 담보대출 연체율 등 객관적 자료를 종합적으로 봐야 한다