Business · Markets · 2 hrs ago
Seoul home prices top last year's rise, led by northern districts
Seoul apartment prices rose 8.73% in the first 10 months of 2026, exceeding the 8.71% rise recorded for all of 2025.
The figures come from weekly data published by the Korea Real Estate Board.
Northern Seoul districts drove this year's growth, with the 14 districts north of the Han River up 11.33%.
By contrast, Gangnam District, which rose 13.59% last year, has fallen 1.64% so far this year.
Seongbuk District recorded Seoul's biggest increase, at 16.56%.
Weekly price growth has slowed for two weeks, but prices have still risen for 90 consecutive weeks.
An analyst cited in the report expects weakness in Gangnam's three districts to continue amid policy uncertainty and higher borrowing costs, while limited homes for sale may keep asking prices from falling much elsewhere.
Seoul apartment prices rose 8.73% in the first ten months of 2026, surpassing last year’s full-year increase of 8.71%.
The cumulative rise was the highest since the Korea Real Estate Board began compiling weekly data in May 2012.
Northern Seoul districts led the increase, while Gangnam District’s prices fell.
Seoul apartment prices rose 0.09% in the week ending October 26, with the weekly increase slowing for a second consecutive week.
Prices nevertheless continued to rise for a 90th consecutive week.
- Who
- Seoul apartment buyers and sellers, with price increases led by districts north of the Han River.
- What
- Seoul apartment prices rose 8.73% in the first ten months of 2026, exceeding the 8.71% rise for all of 2025.
- When
- The figures cover the week ending October 26, 2026, and the first ten months of the year. The report was published on November 2.
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea, particularly districts north of the Han River and outer districts.
- Why
- The rise was driven by increases outside the Gangnam area. A real estate researcher said limited listings helped keep asking prices from falling in lower- and middle-priced areas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Seoul apartment prices rose 0.13% in the third week of October, compared with 0.16% the previous week.
Seoul apartment prices rose 0.09% for the week, and the cumulative increase for the year reached 8.73%.
The Korea Real Estate Board figures were reported, showing the year-to-date rise had exceeded the 8.71% increase for all of 2025.
- Seoul cumulative rise
- 8.73% in the first ten months of 2026
- 2025 full-year rise
- 8.71%
- Highest annual-to-date rise
- Since weekly statistics began in May 2012
- Han River north districts
- 11.33% rise in 2026
- Seongbuk District
- 16.56% rise in 2026, the highest among Seoul districts
- Gangnam District
- 1.64% fall in 2026
1 source
What people are saying
Prices rose sharply in a short period and transactions slowed as loans became difficult to obtain; however, listings for sales and rentals are relatively scarce, so reductions in asking prices are very limited.