Seoul apartment sale prices rose 0.29% in the fourth week of August as of Aug. 24, accelerating from a 0.22% weekly gain, according to the Korea Real Estate Board’s report released Aug. 27. Growth was concentrated in relatively affordable districts, with Jungnang leading Seoul’s 25 districts at 0.56%, Seongbuk and Gangbuk at 0.55% each, and Dobong and Nowon at 0.54% each. The 14 northern districts averaged a 0.40% gain, double the 0.20% average for the 11 southern districts. Gangnam prices fell 0.11% for a sixth consecutive week and Seocho declined 0.05% for a third straight week, while listings surged in both districts amid tax-reform concerns and higher interest rates. Metropolitan apartment prices rose 0.22%, Gyeonggi Province accelerated to 0.23%, and nationwide prices gained 0.11%. Seoul apartment jeonse prices increased 0.22%, up from 0.19%, led by station areas and major complexes. Analysts cited rotation buying into lower-priced homes, real demand from first-time buyers, single-person households and newlyweds, and stronger gains in southern Gyeonggi as key market themes.