Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
Professor says policy changes could ease housing pressures in South Korea
Ma Kang-rae, an urban planning professor at Chung-Ang University, is calling for policy changes to address housing pressures in South Korea.
In an interview, he said redevelopment projects have added housing by changing land-use zones and raising permitted building density.
He warned that this approach cannot be repeated indefinitely, asking whether it could work again in 30 years.
Ma said many property experts see adding housing supply as the only answer, but he considers that a short-term measure.
His proposal is presented as a way to support older people and regional areas as well as address the jeonse crisis, a housing issue involving rental deposits.
The available information does not specify the policy changes he proposes or describe any next steps.
Professor Ma Kang-rae says policy changes could ease housing pressures in South Korea.
He argues that relying on housing supply is a short-term response.
Ma says past redevelopment supply has depended on zoning changes and repeated increases in floor-area ratios.
He questions whether that approach could be repeated 30 years from now.
The interview was published on November 3, 2026.
- Who
- Ma Kang-rae, a professor in the urban planning and real estate department at Chung-Ang University.
- What
- He argues that policy changes could ease housing pressures and that relying on supply is only a short-term response.
- When
- The article was published on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea; Seoul housing prices are mentioned.
- Why
- Ma says redevelopment supply has relied on zoning changes and repeated increases in floor-area ratios, an approach he says cannot be repeated indefinitely.
Housing supply-focused real estate experts
Ma Kang-rae
Policy approach
Housing supply-focused real estate experts
Most real estate experts say supply is the only measure, according to Ma.
Ma Kang-rae
Ma says relying on supply is only a short-term measure.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Interviewee
- Ma Kang-rae
- University
- Chung-Ang University
- Interview topic
- Housing policy and supply in South Korea
- Time horizon cited
- 30 years
What people are saying
I do not think this can be repeated. It is impossible.
Most real estate experts say there is no measure other than supply, but that is a short-term measure.