This study aims to empirically analyze the structural limitations and potential numerical inaccuracies of the current unsold housing statistics system in South Korea, using the case of Seoul’s unsold housing data, and to propose institutional improv...
This study aims to empirically analyze the structural limitations and potential numerical inaccuracies of the current unsold housing statistics system in South Korea, using the case of Seoul’s unsold housing data, and to propose institutional improvements. Unsold housing statistics serve as a key indicator for government housing supply policy formulation, financial market risk management, and consumer decision-making. However, the current statistical system, which relies on voluntary reporting by private developers, has led to repeated cases of omission and underreporting.
To verify this, the study compared the unsold housing statistics published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government as of December 2024 with the unsold housing resupply notices posted on Korea Real Estate Board’s ‘Cheongyak Home’ platform as of January 2025. The analysis found that while the official statistics reported 957 unsold units in Seoul, the Cheongyak Home platform identified an additional 262 resupply units not included in the official statistics. Notably, in certain districts such as Jongno-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Songpa-gu, and Gwanak-gu, the official statistics reported “zero” unsold units, whereas resupply units were found to exist on the platform. This can be interpreted as an empirical case demonstrating the structural limitations of administrative statistics based on a voluntary reporting system.
Under the current system, unsold housing data is compiled and published in stages by MOLIT based on reports submitted voluntarily by housing providers to local governments, as stipulated in Articles 18 and 27 of the Statistics Act. However, due to the absence of verification procedures for false, omitted, or underreported data, concerns have been raised about the reliability and objectivity of the statistics. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government formally proposed mandatory reporting of unsold housing twice—in 2022 and 2023—to the Ministry. In 2024, National Assembly Member Bok Ki-wang proposed legislation to mandate unsold housing reporting, which is currently pending in the 22nd National Assembly.
Statistics based on actual transaction prices have been evaluated as an alternative that can complement these structural weaknesses. However, challenges remain in institutionalizing this system due to factors such as the variable of contract cancellations, consistency with existing data, and difficulties in time-series analysis. In fact, when MOLIT attempted to pilot the use of actual transaction-based statistics in 2017, the project was postponed due to significant discrepancies with existing data, which made it difficult to identify market trends.
Ultimately, rather than interpreting errors in the current statistics as a complete loss of credibility, it is more appropriate to acknowledge the structural limitations of the system and pursue institutional improvements in parallel. Accordingly, the policy implications of this study are as follows:
First, instead of a full and immediate shift to actual transaction-based statistics, a phased introduction should be adopted through dual management alongside existing administrative statistics for a certain period. This transition should allow for a temporary break in time series data, as was the case during past revisions to the housing supply rate statistics.
Second, institutional reforms such as mandatory reporting of unsold housing should be implemented through coordination among construction companies, local governments, and the central government. Rather than relying solely on legal mandates, policies should be designed based on incentives and improvements to public statistical infrastructure.
Third, local governments such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government could establish independent data collection systems to supplement omissions, or integrate auxiliary data from platforms like Subscription Home by upgrading administrative systems. This may serve as a practical alternative.
Although this study is limited by its focus on a specific time and location (Seoul), it contributes academically by empirically identifying the structural errors in South Korea’s unsold housing statistics and discussing improvement directions from an institutional and policy perspective. Future research that utilizes nationwide and long-term time-series data could enable more precise and effective reforms of the unsold housing statistics system.