Asia-Pacific real estate markets show recovery. According to JLL, 2025 Asia-Pacific commercial real estate investment reached $147.6 billion, up 12% year-over-year. Savills forecasts additional 7% growth in 2026. Investment concentrates in key markets: Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Korea.
Korea's market status continues rising. Seoul office investment reached a record KRW 21.1 trillion in 2025, and 57% of respondents in CBRE's 2026 Asia-Pacific investor intention survey answered they plan to expand real estate purchases.
Korea's appeal in industrial real estate (logistics and factories) continues growing. Savills analyzes Korean logistics center investment is rebounding driven by foreign-led transactions. Knight Frank also notes Asia-Pacific investors are focusing on Korean yields under 'Hunting for Value' strategies.
However, most investment concentrates in the capital region. As funds flow to Seoul-Gyeonggi prime assets raising prices, investors begin looking to provinces for higher returns. This represents the dual trend of 'flight to quality' and simultaneous 'yield hunting' as CBRE describes.
Gyeongsangbuk-do can be a beneficiary region of this 'yield hunting.' Land costs 30-50% cheaper than capital region, additional 3.55 million ㎡ industrial complex supply plans, and Haeoreum Alliance's 1.83 million economic zone raise investment appeal. Particularly in logistics, data centers, and smart factories that foreign investors show interest, Gyeongbuk's location is likely to be reevaluated.
To attract industrial real estate investment to Gyeongbuk, permit speed and transparency are key. Global investors cite permit delays as their biggest risk.
Expert Review
This article was reviewed by Sangyun Lee, Chairman of Yeongnam Startup Consulting.
Every real estate insight published on this site is reviewed before publication by Sangyun Lee, who has worked in real estate permitting in Gyeongju and Gyeongsangbuk-do for more than 20 years. Last reviewed on April 20, 2026.
Education
- Seoul National University Advanced Industrial Strategy Program (45th)
- Uiduk University Ph.D. in Business Administration
- Dongguk University M.A. in Public Administration (Local Autonomy)
- Konkuk University Graduate School of Real Estate
Public Appointments
- Advisory Member, National Unification Advisory Council · Office of the President, Republic of Korea
- Member, Gyeongsangbuk-do Regulatory Reform Council · Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
- Investment Attraction Advisor · Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
- Steering Committee Member, Gyeongbuk Policy Research Institute · Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
- Member, Ministry of Justice Beopsarang Committee · Ministry of Justice
- Member, Crime Prevention Committee · Ministry of Justice
- Member, Gyeongju Election Commission · Gyeongju City
Industry & Academic Roles
- Chairman, Gyeongju Gangdong Industrial Complex · Gyeongju City
- Chairman, Gyeongju Regional Development Council · Gyeongju City
- Adjunct Professor · Dongguk University
- President, SNU AIP 45th Alumni Association · Seoul National University
- President, Korea University Sports Federation · National
- President, Gyeongju Middle & High School Alumni Association · Gyeongju City
https://isanggroup.com/en/chairman
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