Seoul Re-designates Natural Green Areas in Gangnam and Seocho as Land Transaction Permission Zones

Re-designated for One Year, Until May 30, 2026
District Mayor's Approval Required for Contracts Exceeding Certain Area

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has re-designated 26.69 square kilometers of natural green areas in the Gangnam and Seocho districts as Land Transaction Permission Zones. This measure is intended to preemptively block real estate speculation driven by development expectations.

Land Transaction Permission Zone Designation Map (Gangnam-gu). Provided by Seoul City

On May 8, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that, during the 7th Urban Planning Committee meeting, it decided to re-designate the natural green areas in the Gangnam and Seocho districts?where the current designation is set to expire on May 30?as Land Transaction Permission Zones for one more year, until May 30, 2026.

The areas subject to this re-designation cover 5.35 square kilometers in Gangnam-gu and 21.34 square kilometers in Seocho-gu. A natural green area refers to a zone that requires preservation of green spaces to protect the natural environment, farmland, and forests, as well as to maintain public health, security, and prevent the disorderly expansion of the city.

The re-designated areas in Gangnam-gu are adjacent to the Guryong Village Urban Development Project and include: Suseo-dong (0.87 km²), Gaepo-dong (1.21 km²), Segok-dong (1.16 km²), Yulhyeon-dong (0.53 km²), Jagok-dong (0.79 km²), Irwon-dong (0.68 km²), and Daechi-dong (0.11 km²).

The re-designated areas in Seocho-gu include the Seocho Yeomgok Public Housing District, Bangbae-dong Seongdui Village, and Seoripul Public Housing District. Most of these areas are natural green zones and include: Yangjae-dong (1.26 km²), Umyeon-dong (2.98 km²), Bangbae-dong (1.35 km²), Naegok-dong (6.2 km²), Sinwon-dong (2.12 km²), Yeomgok-dong (1.45 km²), Wonji-dong (5.06 km²), and Seocho-dong (0.92 km²).

Land Transaction Permission Zone Designation Map (Seocho-gu). Provided by Seoul City

With these areas re-designated as Land Transaction Permission Zones, any contract to transfer or establish ownership or superficies rights for land exceeding 100 square meters in green areas or 60 square meters in residential areas now requires approval from the district mayor.

Including previously designated areas such as Apgujeong, Yeouido, Mok-dong, and Seongsu, the total area of Land Transaction Permission Zones in Seoul remains at 164.06 square kilometers. In April, the city re-designated a total of 4.58 square kilometers in Apgujeong, Yeouido, Mok-dong Apartment District, and Seongsu Strategic Maintenance Zone to curb speculation in reconstruction and redevelopment areas.

Cho Namjun, Director of the Seoul Urban Space Headquarters, stated, "We will preemptively block market-disrupting activities within natural green areas and take strong action if any illegal activities are discovered. Alongside the re-designation, we will also conduct thorough monitoring of market conditions."