Oh Se-hoon Criticizes Lee Jae-myung’s October 15 Real Estate Stabilization Measures as Catalyst for Rising Housing Prices In this article, Oh Se-hoon evaluates the impact of the Lee Jae-myung administration’s real estate market stabilization efforts impl

October 26, 2025

Seoul Mayor Demands Overhaul of National Real Estate Strategy

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has publicly challenged the national government and ruling party, demanding a swift and thorough revision of the October 15 real estate market stabilization measures. The Mayor argues the current policies are exacerbating housing shortages and hindering urban advancement projects, ultimately increasing housing costs for residents.

Criticism of Current Policies

Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that the government’s recent actions have actively fueled the rise in housing prices, rather than curbing it. He specifically criticized the lack of a clear “supply signal” within the measures, highlighting that even the September 7 initiative, designed to boost housing supply, lacked the necessary details to inspire confidence and drive real-world results.

“The ruling party’s response of simply blaming the city of Seoul ignores the basic issues at hand,” the Mayor asserted. He emphasized the critical connection between consistent,long-term planning and tangible housing outcomes,drawing parallels to past administrations.

The Impact of Past policies

According to the Mayor, redevelopment initiatives begun during Lee Myung-bak’s tenure yielded benefits during his own first term, and projects initiated during his initial leadership matured under his successor, Park Won-soon. He lamented a decade of stalled progress, revealing that over 430,000 households across 389 locations experienced project setbacks during the intervening years.

“To suggest that we can simply ‘plow the field’ and then expect an immediate harvest is unrealistic and frankly, insulting,” Mayor Oh remarked, questioning the logic of expecting results without a sustained commitment to supply-side solutions.

New Regulations and Their Consequences

The Mayor further critiqued the october 15 measures,particularly the new transaction and loan restrictions applied to maintenance business union members. He believes these regulations create further uncertainty, even hindering previously promising projects.

“seoul will not abandon its pursuit of increased housing supply,” Mayor Oh declared. “We are prepared to engage in open discussions with the Democratic Party to achieve a significant revision of these detrimental measures and streamline the regulatory process.”

Seoul Cityscape along the Han River. Photo = Yonhap News

Financial Services Commission’s Recent Actions

On October 15th,the Financial Services Commission,in collaboration with several ministries,announced new real estate market stabilization measures. These included reducing mortgage loan limits to 400 million won for properties valued between 1.5 and 2.5 billion won and 200 million won for those exceeding 2.5 billion won in the metropolitan area and designated regulated zones. The lower limit of the stress interest rate for home loans was also raised from 1.5% to 3%.

These actions came after previous measures in June and September failed to curb rising housing prices, particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area. Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eok-won cited growing concerns about market overheating and the need for stronger demand management.

Property Value (KRW)	Maximum Loan Limit (KRW)
Under 1.5 Billion	600 million
1.5 – 2.5 Billion	400 Million
Over 2.5 Billion	200 Million

Did You Know? South Korea’s housing market is heavily influenced by government policies, making it uniquely sensitive to regulatory changes.

Pro Tip: Staying informed about changes to loan regulations and property taxes is crucial for anyone considering investing in the Korean real estate market.

Is this a enduring solution to the housing problem, or will it only delay the inevitable? What further measures could the government take to address the root causes of rising property prices?

Understanding South Korea’s Housing Market Dynamics

South Korea’s real estate market is characterized by high population density, particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area. This concentrates demand,driving up prices. Historically, government intervention has played a significant role in shaping market trends, and policies aimed at controlling speculation and increasing housing supply have ofen yielded mixed results.

External factors, such as global economic conditions and interest rate fluctuations, also influence the market.In recent years, low interest rates and an influx of capital have contributed to price increases. Additionally,the cultural preference for homeownership and a robust construction industry drive continued investment in the housing sector. Statista data indicates continued volatility in the market despite government interventions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the October 15 real estate measure? It’s a set of new regulations introduced by the Financial Services Commission to curb housing demand by reducing mortgage loan limits and raising interest rates.
• how will these measures affect homeowners? Homeowners seeking to refinance or take out new loans may face stricter lending criteria and reduced borrowing capacity.
• What is Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s position on the new regulations? He strongly opposes the regulations, arguing they will stifle housing supply and exacerbate affordability issues.
• What are the long-term implications of these policies? Analysts predict the policies could slow down the real estate market and possibly discourage investment, however, significant impacts are yet to be seen.
• Where can I find more data about South korea’s housing market? Resources like the korea Real Estate Board (https://www.r-one.co.kr/rone/resis/statistics/housingStatisticsView.do) provide detailed statistics and analysis.

What are your thoughts on Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s approach to the housing crisis? Share your opinion and join the conversation in the comments below!

What unintended consequences of teh October 15th policies does Oh Se-hoon specifically identify as contributing to price increases?

Oh Se-hoon Critiques lee Jae-myung’s October 15 Real Estate Policies, Citing Price Increases

The Core of the Criticism: Unintended Consequences

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has publicly voiced strong criticism regarding the real estate stabilization measures implemented by the Lee Jae-myung administration on October 15th. His central argument isn’t that the intentions were flawed, but that the execution and specific policies inadvertently acted as a catalyst for the very price increases they aimed to prevent. This critique centers on the idea that market psychology and specific policy details combined to create an unexpected outcome – a surge in housing costs. The debate highlights the complexities of South Korea’s real estate market and the challenges of effective government intervention.

Key Policies Under Scrutiny

Several specific aspects of the october 15th measures have drawn fire from Oh Se-hoon. These include:

* Relaxation of loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratios: While intended to boost market liquidity, the easing of LTV restrictions, particularly in certain zones, is argued to have emboldened potential buyers, increasing demand and afterward, prices.

* Adjustments to Acquisition Tax: Modifications to the acquisition tax,designed to stimulate investment,are seen by Oh Se-hoon as having sent a signal that the government anticipated a market downturn,prompting a rush to purchase before potential future increases.

* Differential Interest Rates: The implementation of differential interest rates based on property value, intended to curb speculation on high-end properties, is criticized for creating a two-tiered market and potentially driving up demand in the lower-value segments.

* Speculation Tax Adjustments: Changes to speculation tax regulations,aimed at discouraging short-term property flipping,are alleged to have been perceived as a weakening of overall market controls.

The “Kindling Effect”: How Policies Backfired

Oh Se-hoon’s core argument revolves around the concept of a “kindling effect.” He posits that the October 15th measures, rather than extinguishing the flames of rising prices, provided the fuel – the perceived prospect and financial incentive – for a rapid escalation.

Here’s a breakdown of the mechanism:

1. Signal of Weakness: The policy adjustments were interpreted by some market participants as an admission that the previous, stricter regulations were failing.
2. Increased Demand: This perception spurred increased demand, as buyers feared further price increases if they delayed their purchases.
3. Limited Supply: South Korea, particularly the Seoul metropolitan area, faces a chronic shortage of housing supply, exacerbating the impact of increased demand.
4. Price Inflation: The combination of increased demand and limited supply inevitably led to a surge in housing prices.

Regional Disparities in Impact: Seoul vs. Metropolitan Area

The impact of the October 15th measures hasn’t been uniform across the country. Oh Se-hoon specifically points to a more pronounced effect in the Seoul metropolitan area, where demand is highest and supply is most constrained.

* Seoul: Experienced a notable jump in apartment prices, particularly in desirable districts.

* Gyeonggi Province: Saw a moderate increase, but less dramatic than Seoul.

* Incheon: Showed the least impact, potentially due to a larger existing housing stock.

This regional disparity underscores the importance of tailoring real estate policies to specific local market conditions.

Ancient Context: Past Stabilization attempts

This isn’t the first time South Korean governments have attempted to stabilize the real estate market. Numerous measures have been implemented over the past decades, with varying degrees of success.

* Early 2000s: Focus on increasing housing supply through large-scale apartment complex construction.

* Late 2000s (Global Financial Crisis): Implementation of tax incentives and low-interest loans to stimulate demand.

* 2010s (Park Geun-hye Administration): Introduction of stricter lending regulations and increased property taxes.

* 2017-2022 (Moon Jae-in Administration): A series of aggressive measures, including multiple rounds of price caps and increased taxes on multiple homeownership.

Each of these attempts faced challenges, often due to unforeseen consequences or a failure to address the underlying structural issues of supply and demand. The current situation, according to Oh Se-hoon, is another example of this pattern.

Expert Opinions and Market Analysis

Independent economists and real estate analysts offer a range of perspectives on the October 15th measures. while some agree with Oh Se-hoon’s assessment of unintended