China biggest buyer of Jeju Island properties   

中國人濟州島買地5年增近300倍 取代美國成第一

據韓國《亞洲經濟》網8月31日報道，一項韓國國政監察資料顯示，在所有持有濟州島土地的外國人中，中國人持有土地最多，占外國人持有土地總面積的一半左右，價值將近6000億韓元（約折合人民幣36.3億元）。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- As of June 2014, Chinese citizens collectively owned the largest amount of land among foreign investors in South Korea's Jeju province, with 5.92 million square meters, a South Korean website said.

The total amount of Jeju owned by Chinese investors accounts for 0.19 percent of the island's total area, and is worth 58.07 billion won ($570 million), Jeju government statistics shows.

At the end of 2009, among all land owned by foreign citizens, Chinese investors had less than one percent, with US investors owning the largest portion at 49 percent.

But by June 2014, Chinese investors' land holdings rose by 296 times and took up 43 percent of all foreign-owned land, twice their US counterparts.

The dramatic jump in property investment coincides with South Korea's introduction of permanent resident visas to foreigners. Since 2010, foreign investors who buy at least 500 million won ($500,000) of Jeju real estate have been eligible for permanent residency.

More and more Chinese property firms have intended to cash in on the island's tourism fame. A consulting firm in South Korea said "the island is the country's most concerned investment destination among Chinese real estate firms this year."

It is estimated that Chinese-owned land will reach 7 million square meters this year, if the land-buying spree continues.

However, Jeju Island is considering revising its policy to halt the trend.