South Korea's housing price surge fuels debate on statistics and money supply

Lee Heon-wook, head of the Korea Real Estate Agency, told reporters that the weekly apartment price index is not a unilateral decision by the agency and that any change to a monthly publication schedule would require a policy shift. He defended the statistical methodology, noting that it follows international standards and incorporates professional surveyors, while also emphasizing the agency’s role as a data hub for national housing policy.

Opposition lawmaker Kim Jong‑yang cited analysis of Bank of Korea and real‑estate agency data showing a close correlation between the rise in broad money (M2) and the steep increase in Seoul apartment prices. He highlighted that periods of rapid money‑supply growth in 2020 and 2021 coincided with double‑digit price jumps, whereas a slowdown in 2023 corresponded with a modest price decline. Kim called for tighter liquidity management and accelerated private housing supply to curb the price surge.