Seoul prime office leasing set to accelerate in H2

Why this matters

The anticipated acceleration in Seoul’s prime office leasing during the second half signals a potential inflection point for Asia’s gateway markets, with implications for global capital flows into US institutional commercial real estate. While the headline pertains to a non-US market, it reflects broader sector dynamics that resonate across major office hubs. An uptick in leasing activity in a key Asian city suggests improving occupier demand, which may presage a more constructive outlook for office fundamentals globally, including in the US. This could encourage institutional investors and fund managers to recalibrate allocations toward office assets, which have faced headwinds amid remote work trends and rising capital costs. Moreover, increased leasing momentum abroad may influence cross-border capital flows, as investors seek to diversify exposure and capitalize on early signs of recovery in office markets. For lenders, improving leasing metrics in prime offices can reduce perceived risk, potentially easing financing conditions or supporting more aggressive underwriting. However, the extent to which this momentum translates to US markets depends on local economic conditions, tenant behavior, and capital-market dynamics. Nonetheless, Seoul’s leasing trajectory warrants attention as a barometer of evolving office sector fundamentals and investor sentiment in a post-pandemic environment.

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On the RET wire

• Disclosed office deal value tracked in August 2026: $17.1B across 72 reported transactions. All Office coverage →

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