“6억 이하라도 사야죠”…소형 아파트값 불붙은 이유 [잇슈 머니] / KBS 2026.07.22.

We have economic commentator Kwon Hyuk-joong with us. Our first keyword is "Are Small Apartments Rising More?" I hear that Seoul apartment prices are showing unusual trends, and that the prices of small apartments, in particular, are soaring. Just how fast are they rising right now? [Answer] Yes, Seoul apartment prices have been rising for 75 consecutive weeks. However, what is truly noteworthy is that "small homes" are driving the market. The magnitude of the increase itself is significant. According to a survey by the Korea Real Estate Institute, as of the second week of July—specifically July 13—Seoul apartment sales prices rose by 0.30% in just one week. When simply extrapolated to an annual rate, this translates to a pace exceeding 15%. The Gangbuk and Southwest regions are hotter than Gangnam. Seongbuk-gu ranked first in Seoul with a 0.49% increase, followed by Guro-gu at 0.44%, while Geumcheon-gu rose by 0.32%, recording its largest increase in approximately 7 years and 10 months. The rate of price increase for small apartments was particularly notable. In the first half of this year, the sales price index for small apartments in Seoul with an exclusive area of ​​40 to 60 square meters rose by 6.72%, ranking first among all area sizes and exceeding the growth rate of large apartments by more than three times. Even looking at the entire Seoul metropolitan area, apartments with an exclusive area of ​​60 square meters or less saw the highest increase at 8.21%. [Anchor] That is unusual. Usually, aren't large apartments in Gangnam the ones leading the market? Why are small apartments, specifically those on the outskirts of Seoul, rising so sharply? [Answer] To start with the conclusion, it is a "balloon effect" created by loan regulations. As the flow of money has tightened, people are flocking to cheaper homes. As loan limits have been reduced due to mortgage lending regulations, real demand is concentrating on apartments around 600 million won that are eligible for policy loans. Experts analyze that the strong performance in the outskirts of Seoul is spreading to demand for upgrading in mid-range areas like Seongbuk. On top of this, as the average presale price of private apartments in Seoul jumped 39.1% in just one year to 63.55 million won, demand shifting toward existing small-sized units instead of new ones has also grown. In Gyeonggi Province, expectations for reconstruction have ignited the market. For example, according to KB Real Estate on the 21st, the 59-square-meter exclusive area unit at the Haan-dong Jugong Complex 9 in Gwangmyeong-si, which is currently pursuing reconstruction, ranked first in growth rate at 34.72%, followed by Hanseong in Suji-gu, Yongin-si, another complex pursuing reconstruction, at 25.56%. Gwangmyeong Jugong Complexes 4 and 12 also rose by approximately 25%. In summary, attention is being drawn to suburban complexes in Seoul where they can be purchased at relatively lower prices, while in Gyeonggi Province, it is focusing on urban renewal complexes where value appreciation can be expected after reconstruction. In other words, suppressing demand through regulations did not cause it to disappear; rather, it simply shifted toward small-sized units, suburban areas, and reconstruction projects. [Anchor] On the 23rd—that is, tomorrow. A grand debate on real estate presided over by the President will be held. It is highly likely that the content discussed here will form the backbone of the tax reform plan to be announced at the end of this month. What specific details are expected to be revealed? [Answer] First off, public sentiment is leaning more toward 'loans' than taxes. Looking at the suggestions on the 'RealEstateDebate.kr' website, which the government launched to gather opinions, over 3,000 comments have been submitted. Housing finance accounts for the largest number, followed by housing supply and real estate taxation. In fact, the bulletin board is dominated by demands to lift regulations on the total volume of mortgage loans. While the government tightened lending to curb housing prices, this confirms the exact opposite public sentiment: the public is instead demanding that lending be loosened. Regarding taxation, 'strengthening the capital gains tax' is being discussed as a likely option. Market forecasts suggest that the key focus will be on strengthening capital gains tax, such as by reducing the special deduction for long-term ownership, as well as taxation targeting multi-home owners and non-residents. Regarding property holding taxes, opinions are sharply divided between cautious and hardline stances. While the Blue House has directly mentioned the need to adjust property and capital gains taxes, leading to speculation that adjustments to the Fair Market Value Ratio and even a hike in the highest rate of the Comprehensive Real Estate Tax are being discussed, there are counterarguments suggesting that any property tax h...