New mortgage loans per borrower reached a record high of 227.07 million won ($168,000) in the third quarter of this year, with borrowers in their 30s taking out an average of 287.92 million won each, according to the Bank of Korea.
The central bank attributed the surge to "last-train" demand before the June 27 real estate measures took effect, as homebuyers rushed to secure loans ahead of tighter regulations.
Borrowers in their 30s accounted for 37.7% of all new mortgage lending, significantly outpacing those in their 40s at 28.8%. The average loan amount for those in their 30s was 26.8% higher than the overall borrower average.
Regional disparities were stark, with Seoul borrowers taking out an average of 359.91 million won per person—more than double the 155.39 million won average in the Honam region.
Major Conglomerates Accelerate Innovation Push
LG Group Chairman Kwang-mo Koo called for aggressive innovation in his 2026 New Year's message, urging employees to "dig into levels that others consider impossible" in ABC (AI, Bio, Clean tech) businesses.
"We are standing at an inflection point where a new future is opening," Koo said, as LG Group faces growing business uncertainty from China's technological rise and trade barriers under the incoming Trump administration.
Meanwhile, SK Broadband launched a dedicated Data Center Division to strengthen its AI infrastructure business. The company appointed Seok-geun Jung, head of SK Telecom's AI CIC (Company-in-Company), as division chief to maximize synergies between the two affiliates.
SK Broadband's data center business generated 149.8 billion won in revenue in the third quarter on a consolidated basis, up 54% year-on-year. The company plans to expand capacity to 300 megawatts by 2030, more than double current levels, by building new data centers in Gasan, Ulsan, and Guro.
Seoul Apartment Supply to Halve Next Year
New apartment supply in Seoul is projected to plunge 48% to 16,412 units next year from 31,856 units this year, as the effects of the 2023 project financing crisis ripple through the market.
Construction starts in Seoul fell sharply from 44,894 units in 2022 to 27,426 units in 2023 due to the PF crisis. The greater Seoul metropolitan area is also expected to see a 28% drop in new supply, from 112,184 units this year to 81,534 units next year.
KOSPI Recovers 4,100 Level on Institutional Buying
The KOSPI closed at 4,105.93, reclaiming the 4,100 level for the first time in six trading days, driven by combined net buying of 1.11 trillion won from foreign investors and 1.60 trillion won from institutions.
Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) rose 3.95% to 110,500 won, returning above the 110,000 won threshold for the first time since December 3. SK hynix (000660.KS) gained 6.03%.
However, analysts noted that won-dollar exchange rate volatility around the 1,480 won level and year-end dividend payouts could increase short-term market fluctuations.
