China's Global Times reported on the 6th an article regarding South Korea stating that 'the overheating of the housing market promotes a rise in the marriage rate.'

The article, citing a report from South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo, stated that 'the economic effect of marriage' is behind the rebound in the marriage rate over the past two years, after it had fallen for 11 consecutive years.

According to the JoongAng Ilbo, the previous perception that 'marriage is a loss' is now changing to one that suggests 'only by doubling funds and income through marriage can one increase funds through investments such as homeownership.'

According to the Korea National Statistical Office, the number of marriages in 2025 is 240,326, an increase of 25.4% from the lowest value in 2022. The decline that continued for 11 consecutive years from 2011 rebounded in a V-shape, and this trend continues, with the number of marriages from January to May this year also increasing by 3.9% year-on-year to 103,299. This is a natural phenomenon caused by young people who postponed their weddings due to the COVID-19 pandemic entering the marriage market, and it is also closely related to changes in people's perceptions of marriage. A major trend that influenced such changes in perception is 'wedding leverage.' During the period when keywords like 'YOLO' (You Only Live Once), which emphasizes current enjoyment over future, and 'Gold Miss' were popular, it was considered a loss to get married at a time when income truly increased and one's career was on track. However, recently, the perception is spreading that getting married is a means to not be left behind by the trend of 'early asset growth.' Behind that, it is said, is the recent surge in housing prices.

The article further stated that 'housing prices in South Korea continue to rise, and are particularly noticeable in the Seoul metropolitan area,' and reported that apartment prices in Seoul have risen for 72 consecutive weeks as of the fourth week of June.

According to the article, President Lee Jae-myung, after taking office, set the suppression of housing prices and the revitalization of the stock market as the administration's top priorities. By promoting strong suppression measures, such as strengthening taxation on multiple homeowners, the aim was to guide investment money into the stock market and other areas, but so far, South Korean housing prices have not fallen as the government expected. (Translation/Editing by Yanagawa)