KORAMCO REITs Management and Trust Marks 25th Anniversary, Reclaims No. 1 Market Share and Enters a “Second Heyday”
- Input
- 2026-10-23 10:56:35
- Updated
- 2026-10-23 10:56:35
KORAMCO REITs Management and Trust held a ceremony on the 23rd, one day before its 25th anniversary, looking back on its achievements over the past 25 years and pledging to take a new leap forward. Founded in 2001 alongside the introduction of Korea’s REIT system, Koramco Asset Management began with corporate restructuring REITs and expanded into listed REITs, real estate funds and development projects, helping drive the growth of Korea’s real estate finance market. It currently has nearly 60 trillion won in assets under management, comprising about 20 trillion won in REIT assets, about 22 trillion won in real estate fund AUM and about 18 trillion won in entrusted real estate trust assets.
According to sources in the investment industry, Koramco Asset Management is expected to complete its acquisition of Arenas Yangji, a mega-sized ambient-temperature logistics center valued at about 620 billion won, as early as early next month. CJ Logistics has leased the entire property, which has a gross floor area of about 345,000 square meters, on a long-term basis through 2035. In addition, the company was selected last week as the preferred bidder in the competition to acquire Yeouido ABL Tower, valued at about 340 billion won. A deal for Lotte Deokpyeong Logistics Center, using funds from a Korea Post blind REIT, is also nearing completion, raising expectations for fourth-quarter results.
Koramco Asset Management was established in response to the need to help companies improve their financial structures after the 1997 financial crisis. Founded in 2001 as Korea’s first REIT AMC, when the government implemented the Real Estate Investment Company Act, it opened up new paths in the market, beginning with the acquisition of Hanwha Group’s headquarters, Janggyo Building, and going on to introduce externally managed REITs and complete trust-based redevelopment projects. In particular, it strengthened its financial structure and growth foundations in 2019 by bringing LF, a future lifestyle and culture company, on board as its largest shareholder. This year, it has continued to play a successful role in corporate asset securitization, including by incorporating 11 Hyundai Motor business sites across the country into a sale-and-leaseback REIT valued at about 580 billion won.
Koramco Asset Management has established itself as a comprehensive real estate finance company managing funds for long-term investors, including the National Pension Service and mutual aid associations. Underpinned by rigorous risk management principles, it has maintained a credit rating of A (Stable), among the highest in the real estate trust industry, for nine consecutive years, according to NICE Investors Service. It has also helped broaden the industry’s talent pool by producing numerous real estate finance professionals, including founding figures from IGIS Asset Management and Mastern Investment Management.
According to the Korea REITs Association, KORAMCO REITs Management and Trust has reclaimed the top spot among all REIT asset management companies (AMCs), including Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), with a 12.8% share of Korea’s REIT market. It is the first time in about 10 years that a private operator has returned to the lead.
Jeong Seung-hoe, CEO of KORAMCO REITs Management and Trust, said, “Over the past 25 years, Koramco Asset Management has grown alongside Korea’s REIT industry and contributed to corporate asset securitization and the growth of retirement assets for the public.” He added, “As we mark our 25th anniversary, we will build on the expertise we have developed in Korea to expand our operations into global markets and continue sustainable growth toward becoming a 100-year company.”
[email protected] Jeon Min-kyung Reporter