On June 9, Real Estate Planet released its "2026 First Quarter National Knowledge Industry Center Transaction Trends Report," which revealed that the total number of transactions nationwide was 561, with a transaction value of 242.3 billion won.
In the first quarter of this year, transaction volume decreased by 24.9% from the previous quarter (747 transactions) and by 34.8% from the same period last year (861 transactions). The transaction value also fell by 18.9% from the previous quarter (298.8 billion won) and by 36.3% from the same period last year (389.4 billion won). Notably, compared to the first quarter of 2024 (1,014 transactions and 442.7 billion won), transaction volume dropped by 44.7% and transaction value by 45.3%, effectively halving.
Transactions in the knowledge industry center sector have been on a downward trend for six consecutive quarters since reaching 1,024 transactions in the third quarter of 2024.
In contrast, prices have seen a slight increase. The average price per 3.3 square meters of knowledge industry centers nationwide rose to 15.99 million won, up 3.1% from the previous quarter (15.52 million won) and 1.6% from the same period last year (15.73 million won).
The decline in the metropolitan market has been particularly pronounced. In the first quarter, transaction volume in the Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon areas totaled 495 transactions, with a transaction value of 191.3 billion won, accounting for 88.2% and 79.0% of the national totals, respectively. However, compared to the previous quarter, transaction volume fell by 19.0% and transaction value by 27.4%, while year-on-year comparisons showed declines of 35.3% and 45.2%, respectively.
Conversely, non-metropolitan areas exhibited mixed trends. Transaction volume decreased to 66 transactions, down 51.5% from the previous quarter, while transaction value increased to 50.9 billion won, a 44.0% rise during the same period. Year-on-year, transaction volume fell by 31.2%, but transaction value rose by 63.4%.
In Seoul, the first quarter saw 132 transactions with a total value of 89.3 billion won, representing declines of 19.5% and 22.6% from the previous quarter, respectively. Among districts, Geumcheon-gu recorded the highest number of transactions at 43, followed by Yeongdeungpo-gu with 33 and Guro-gu with 20.
In terms of transaction value, Yeongdeungpo-gu led with 26.4 billion won, showing a significant recovery with a 57.1% increase in transaction volume and a 95.9% increase in transaction value compared to the previous quarter.
Gyeonggi Province also continued to experience a decline in transactions. In the first quarter, transaction volume was 331, down 18.5% from the previous quarter and 38.4% year-on-year. The transaction value was 93.7 billion won, a decrease of 29.5% from the previous quarter and 52.0% from the same period last year.
By city, Seongnam-si topped the charts with 62 transactions and a transaction value of 18.8 billion won. Notably, Seongnam-si showed relative strength among major metropolitan areas, with a 72.2% increase in transaction volume and a 22.5% increase in transaction value compared to the previous quarter.
Jung Soo-min, CEO of Real Estate Planet, stated, "The first quarter of the national knowledge industry center market has recorded a decline in transaction volume for six consecutive quarters due to weakened demand, and the scale of transactions has shrunk to half compared to two years ago. With the announcement of a temporary measure allowing the conversion of knowledge industry centers in general industrial areas to officetels until 2027, the actual impact of this policy will need to be monitored in relation to future supply and vacancy trends."
Meanwhile, a report published in May by the Korea Real Estate Development Association's Research Institute indicated that the vacancy rate for knowledge industry centers in the metropolitan area has reached approximately 55%. The ongoing high vacancy rates, coupled with sluggish transactions, unsold inventory, and falling prices, suggest that the stagnation in the knowledge industry center market is deepening.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.