South Korea has imposed new restrictions on foreign land ownership near sensitive border areas, reflecting a shift toward prioritizing national security over market openness. The land ministry (MOLIT) announced on Feb. 26 that 17 border islands are now designated as foreign land transaction permit zones, requiring government approval for any land purchases by non-Koreans.

This marks the first significant expansion of foreign land ownership restrictions in a decade and signals Seoul’s growing sensitivity to geopolitical risks and economic sovereignty.

While the policy is framed as a national security measure, it also reflects broader strategic concerns, including tensions with China and