The median outstanding loan balance for South Korean couples in their first marriage and first five years of marriage reached 179 million won ($129,000) in 2024, up 5.0% from a year earlier and 130.1% from 77.78 million won in 2016. The measure includes household loans from banks and non-bank financial institutions, as well as business loans held by sole proprietors. The share of newlywed couples with at least 300 million won of debt rose to 24.0% from 5.3% in 2016, while smaller-debt categories contracted. Homeowners had a median balance of 228.24 million won, compared with 141.60 million won for non-homeowners, and dual-income couples carried 198 million won versus 157.87 million won for single-income households. Couples with children also had higher median debt than those without children. Rising home prices, larger jeonse deposits, child-rearing costs and moves to bigger homes are increasing borrowing needs, while higher interest rates could pressure repayment capacity. The Bank of Korea raised its policy rate to 3.0% after increases in July and August, and August’s COFIX for newly handled loans reached 3.18%, its highest level since December 2024.