Seoul land transaction permit filings fell to 3,538 in August, down 35% from July’s 5,438 and the lowest monthly total this year, as lending restrictions, two base-rate increases and tax-policy uncertainty weakened demand. Filings in Gangnam, Seocho and Songpa plunged to 368 from 1,607 in April, while Seoul apartment listings rose 11.5% to 67,382. Market participants said buyers increasingly need 3 billion to 4 billion won in cash because mortgages are difficult to obtain, and Ham Young-jin of Woori Bank expects the transaction lull to continue through year-end. The government retained a 1.2 billion won comprehensive real estate holding tax deduction for single-home owners who do not occupy their homes and restored the tax-increase cap to 150% from 200%, but tighter treatment of multiple-home owners, high-priced properties and capital-gains deductions remains. Lee Hyoung-il, nominee for deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, said policy should distinguish occupants from non-occupants and disclosed consultations on bulk purchases of public housing if prices collapse. Separately, a 1 trillion won medical and senior-living complex in Uiwang was offered for sale, while the government plans 20,000 public rentals at 1,000 won a day for young adults outside the greater Seoul area and is accelerating compensation for third-phase new towns.