South Korea

이재명 정부 부동산 정책, 조급함이 지나칩니다 [심형석의 부동산정석]

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Dec. 4, 2025 | UndeterminedReal Estate

The Lee Jae-myung administration has introduced three rounds of real estate policies within six months, implementing broad regulations more severe than those of the previous Moon Jae-in government. These policies include a uniform loan cap of 600 million won and reduced loan-to-value (LTV) ratios down to 40% in speculative zones, which disproportionately affect households with high incomes but limited assets, as well as low-income non-homeowners who face stricter debt service ratio (DSR) limits and reduced policy loans.

These measures fail to differentiate between genuine homebuyers and investors, infringing on rights related to housing and residence changes. The administration’s approach contrasts with earlier efforts to apply “pinpoint” regulations to specific neighborhoods, which minimize market side effects. Instead, broad and radical policies have been implemented rapidly, leading to unintended consequences.

One major negative impact is the sharp decline in housing listings, particularly in Seoul, where listings fell from about 92,000 to 59,641 by December 1, 2025. This decrease, triggered by expanded regulated zones, reduces supply at a time when new housing supply will be limited until 2028, exacerbating market imbalances. As supply shrinks faster than demand, housing prices have risen, contrary to policy intentions.

The article concludes that excessive government control disrupts the housing market, which requires careful management rather than heavy-handed supervision. Past demand-suppression policies under Moon Jae-in also failed, culminating in sharp price increases in 2021. With widespread regulation now in place, it is uncertain if further effective policy tools remain to stabilize the market.

Yonhap | English | News | Dec. 4, 2025 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

Hyundai Motor Co. has partnered with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. to develop a hydrogen fuel cell system specifically for vessels. Along with Pusan National University, the three parties signed a memorandum of understanding on December 2, 2025, to collaborate on the development and commercialization of this marine hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Under this partnership, Hyundai will provide hydrogen fuel cells optimized for ships, while HD Korea Shipbuilding will design a hybrid electric propulsion system. Pusan National University will be responsible for conducting assessments and testing of the integrated system. The collaboration aims to apply the technology to eco-friendly vessels, including liquefied hydrogen carriers.

Hyundai Motor emphasized that this cooperation marks a significant step toward achieving carbon neutrality and promoting a sustainable global marine industry. The company aims to establish new standards for future maritime mobility with this initiative.

Hankyoreh - E | English | News | Dec. 4, 2025 | North Korea

A former South Korean soldier from the Defense Psychological Operations Group revealed that South Korea initiated the propaganda balloon launches into North Korea in late 2023, contradicting official claims that North Korea’s trash balloons provoked their actions. The soldier, who served in 2023 and 2024, explained that the unit began actual balloon launches in October 2023 following a Constitutional Court decision that lifted a ban on leaflet distribution. These operations involved launching large, hydrogen-filled balloons carrying leaflets and occasional electronic devices into North Korea, timed carefully according to wind conditions and targeted at strategic locations.

The whistleblower described the launches as secretive, with operations kept hidden even from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and frontline units, causing confusion and endangering South Korean forces due to lack of coordination. Despite risks and internal concerns about provoking North Korea and escalating tensions, the unit continued frequent launches without internal calls for caution. The soldier expressed regret, noting that the propaganda efforts were reckless provocations that escalated tensions and contributed to the subsequent martial law declaration in December 2024. President Lee Jae Myung later halted the loudspeaker broadcasts, leading North Korea to cease theirs as well.