"How many minutes to Gangnam?"... The key factor driving up subscription competition

[The Financial News] In the subscription competition for apartments in the greater Seoul area, accessibility to Gangnam District in Seoul has emerged as a key variable.
On the 27th, RealToday analyzed Cheongyak Home data from the Korea Real Estate Board (KREB) for the past five years (2021–2025) and found that Gwacheon City recorded the highest average competition rate at 175.54 to 1. Gwacheon City is physically close to Gangnam District in Seoul and is directly connected by Subway Line 4, which has highlighted its locational advantages. Steady demand was seen across Gwacheon Knowledge Information Town and various redevelopment and reconstruction complexes. Sujeong District, Seongnam ranked second with a rate of 101.01 to 1, followed by Hwaseong-si in third place at 45.46 to 1. Yeongtong District, Suwon (30.88 to 1) and Hanam City (24.92 to 1) also ranked near the top. The strength of the southern part of the metropolitan area was particularly notable.
In Sujeong District, Seongnam, demand was concentrated in new towns and housing districts with excellent access to Gangnam District in Seoul, such as Wirye New Town, Godeung Public Housing District, Bokjeong District in Seongnam and Geumto Public Housing District. In Hwaseong-si, new projects near Dongtan Station in Dongtan 2 New Town drove up competition rates. Dongtan 2 New Town is served by Metropolitan Area Rapid Transit Line A (GTX-A), which opened to Suseo Station in 2024, and the line is scheduled to extend to Samseong Station in 2028, further improving access to Gangnam District.
Reflecting these subscription trends, accessibility to Gangnam District in Seoul is also acting as a major criterion for buyers in this year’s presale market. However, even within the same area, perceived accessibility can differ depending on distance to subway or Great Train eXpress (GTX) stations and the convenience of transfers. Buyers are advised to look beyond whether a line is open and carefully review the actual station-area range and travel routes when assessing a location.
In February, DL E&C will launch e-Pyunhansesang Dongtan Station Urban One on Block C14 of Dongtan 2 New Town in Osan-dong, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province. The complex will consist of three buildings with 4 basement levels and up to 46 above-ground floors, offering 610 apartment units, plus one building with 3 basement levels and 26 above-ground floors, housing 240 residential officetel units. Following the apartment supply in August last year, 240 officetel units with exclusive areas of 34–59 square meters will now be offered. The project is a station-area complex within walking distance of GTX-A and Super Rapid Train (SRT) services at Dongtan Station. From nearby bus stops, residents will have convenient access to Gangnam District, Pangyo and Seoul Station. Road connections are also strong, including the Gyeongbu Expressway, Dongtan-daero and the Sudogwon Second Ring Expressway. With the planned extension of GTX-A to Samseong Station in 2028, accessibility to Gangnam District will improve significantly. Daily amenities such as the Dongtan Station commercial district, Lotte Department Store Dongtan Branch, Traders Wholesale Club Dongtan branch and Dongtan Station Granvia Star are all within walking distance.
In addition, HDC Hyundai Development Company and BS Hanyang plan to launch Anyang Station Central IPARK Sujain in February at 841-5, Anyang 2(i)-dong, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. The Wolgot–Pangyo Line is under construction there, with opening targeted for the second half of 2029. Once it opens, passengers will be able to transfer to the Shinbundang Line at Pangyo, improving access to Gangnam District. Ssangyong Engineering & Construction will also launch Ssangyong The Platinum Onsu Station in February in Goean-dong, Sosa-gu, Bucheon-si, as part of the Goean 3D District, Bucheon-si redevelopment project. The complex will have 3 basement levels, up to 35 above-ground floors and a total of 759 units. From there, residents can reach Gasan Digital Complex in about 10 minutes, Yeouido in about 20 minutes, and Seoul Station and Gangnam District in about 30 minutes.
ming@fnnews.com Reporter Jeon Min-kyung Reporter