Starting November 18, Seoul will offer in-depth real estate counseling for foreign residents at the Seoul Foreign Resident Support Center in Yeongdeungpo.

The program aims to prevent rental scams, such as the infamous “jeonse villa scams,” and to resolve disputes related to housing rentals and sales. Sessions will take place every Monday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with licensed real estate agents fluent in English providing direct consultations.

Interpretation support will be available in seven languages, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Russian, Uzbek, and Urdu, to ensure accessibility for a diverse range of foreign residents.

Foreign residents can request consultations by visiting the center, calling (2229-4900), or emailing help@sfrc.seoul.kr.

After an initial consultation with a multilingual counselor, cases requiring further assistance will be referred to global licensed real estate agents for one-on-one sessions. Detailed information about the program is available on the Seoul Global Portal (global.seoul.go.kr).

As the number of foreign residents in Seoul increases, real estate-related issues such as rental scams and disputes have become a growing concern. The city has implemented this service to address these challenges, ensuring that foreign residents can navigate housing transactions safely and effectively.

Since 2008, Seoul has operated 293 global real estate agencies staffed with licensed agents fluent in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Chinese.

These agencies are spread across districts such as Yongsan (54 offices), Gangnam (32 offices), and Seocho (31 offices). The initiative was launched during Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s tenure to create a foreigner-friendly investment environment in Seoul.

The Seoul Foreign Resident Support Center, established in 2014, has been instrumental in helping foreign residents adapt to life in the city. In addition to real estate counseling, it provides services such as multilingual advice, Korean language classes, community activities, and programs for early adaptation and social integration. Since 2018, the center has also offered legal and labor consultations through professional lawyers and labor specialists, further supporting the stable settlement of foreign residents.

Ihae-seon, Seoul’s Director of Global City Policy, emphasized the importance of safe and convenient housing transactions for foreign residents. “Finding and securing housing is a fundamental part of living in Seoul. We are committed to expanding support across various areas to ensure foreign residents can settle down comfortably and lead stable, fulfilling lives in the city,” she said.

Seoul is also considering expanding consultation hours to weekends based on demand and feedback from foreign residents, reflecting the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and support.

USAG Yongsan