Government and public affairs occupiers in Seoul typically cluster in Seongsu, plan ~240 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($180–260/sqft), and pay around 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) on Class A.

  • Preferred submarket: Seongsu.
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($180–260/sqft).
  • Plan ~240 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD).
  • Typical lease: 5 years with 6 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Seoul: 82/100.

Government and public affairs office space in Seoul

Government and public affairs occupiers in Seoul typically cluster in Seongsu, plan ~240 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out">fit-out ($180–260/sqft), and pay around 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: Seongsu.
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($180–260/sqft).
  • Plan ~240 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD).
  • Typical lease: 5 years with 6 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Seoul: 82/100.

Where they cluster

Government and public affairs occupiers in Seoul typically anchor in Seongsu. Fashion, design, tech-creative, advertising, hospitality.

What they pay

Class A rent in Seoul runs 142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) on a 5-year lease with 6 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical government and public affairs fit-out targets high-end specification at $180–260/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 240 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount public office in Seoul typically targets 24,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Lobbying and public-affairs teams cluster near legislative anchors; long-duration leases and conservative concession packages are normal. Deepest tech (Samsung, LG, Naver, Kakao) and finance talent pool in Korea. Average all-in compensation indexes 82.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 24.2%. Standard 5-year lease (often 3+2). Rent + management fees billed separately. Large jeonse (lease deposit) common — 10-20x monthly rent. Reinstatement contractual.

Key facts

citySeoul
industryGovernment and public affairs
naics813, 541820
preferredSubmarketSeongsu
preferredFitoutSpecHigh-end
fitoutBand$180–260/sqft
sqftPerSeat240
classARentLocal142000 KRW/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$34/sqft/yr
vacancyPct5.2%
typicalLeaseYears5
typicalRentFreeMonths6
talentIndex82
corporateTaxPct24.2%

Frequently asked questions

Where do government and public affairs occupiers lease office space in Seoul?
Most cluster in Seongsu. Rent runs ~142000 KRW/sqft ($34 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do government and public affairs occupiers run in Seoul?
Typically high-end at $180–260/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a government and public affairs occupier plan in Seoul?
Plan ~240 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 24,000 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the government and public affairs vertical?
Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 813, 541820.
What is the talent index in Seoul?
82/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Kenji Watanabe — APAC contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

Full sources index · Submit a correction

Related topics