Regulated areas defy curbs as Dongtan tops nation again, Guri and Giheung surge [Real Estate 360]

Apartment sale prices in areas the government designated as regulated zones and land transaction permit districts — Dongtan-gu in Hwaseong, Giheung-gu in Yongin and Guri — have continued to climb despite the restrictions, rising even faster after the Oct. 15 real estate measures introduced last year. In Seoul, prices also accelerated as outer districts such as Seongbuk-gu and Jungnang-gu joined the upswing.

According to the Korea Real Estate Board's weekly apartment price trend survey for the first week of July 2026 (based on Monday's figures), released Thursday, Dongtan-gu in Hwaseong posted a 1.29 percent week-on-week gain in apartment sale prices. Although slightly below the previous week's 1.46 percent rise, the district still recorded the highest increase of any area in the country.

Giheung-gu in Yongin and Guri saw their gains widen. Giheung-gu rose 0.56 percent, up from 0.39 percent the previous week, while Guri's increase more than doubled, expanding from 0.3 percent to 0.64 percent.

Seoul's price gains also broadened, led by outer districts. Seongbuk-gu rose 0.51 percent, driven by large complexes in Hawolgok and Jongam-dong, while Guro-gu climbed 0.5 percent on transit-oriented areas in Gaebong and Guro-dong. Jungnang-gu gained 0.39 percent, centered on transit-oriented areas in Sinnae and Myeongmok-dong, and Gwangjin-gu rose 0.38 percent, led by small- and mid-sized units in Guui and Jayang-dong. Gangbuk-gu advanced 0.37 percent, concentrated in Mia and Beondong, while Songpa-gu gained 0.34 percent, driven by large complexes in Jamsil and Garak-dong.

"While some market participants are taking a wait-and-see approach in certain areas, demand has remained steady for complexes with development potential and for transit-oriented and large complexes with good living conditions, generating upward transactions and pushing the whole of Seoul higher," a Korea Real Estate Board official said.

Meanwhile, Seoul's jeonse prices, which have been on a sustained upward run, rose 0.31 percent, widening from the previous week's 0.3 percent gain. Seongdong-gu climbed 0.46 percent, led by Majang and Hawangsimnidong, while Nowon-gu rose 0.44 percent on transit-oriented areas in Sanggye and Junggye-dong. Gangdong-gu gained 0.43 percent, centered on major complexes in Myeongil and Godeok-dong, and Gangbuk-gu also rose 0.43 percent, led by major complexes in Mia-dong.

"Jeonse demand has continued to concentrate on preferred complexes with good living conditions — transit-oriented areas, strong school districts and large complexes — with upward contracts being signed, pushing the whole of Seoul higher," a Korea Real Estate Board official said.