[E-Daily Reporter SOYEON KIM ] SamsungElectronics is considering a plan to limit the eligibility for its in-house housing stability support loan program to homes with a usable floor area of 85 square meters or less in the Seoul metropolitan area and the nation’s six major metropolitan cities, while removing such restrictions in certain regions where the company has business sites, such as Gwangju and Gumi.

According to industry sources on the 14th, SamsungElectronics plans to announce details of its low-interest housing loan program for employees who do not own a home on the 15th.

SamsungElectronics is reportedly set to limit the eligible housing units for its in-house housing stability support loan program to those with a usable floor area of 85 square meters or less in the Seoul Metropolitan Area and the nation’s six major metropolitan cities. However, the company is considering a plan to waive the area restriction in certain regions where it operates, including Gwangju.

Since the purpose of the housing loan program is to ensure employees’ ability to settle down by helping them purchase homes, the company aims to maximize benefits in areas near its business sites. This is because improving living conditions for top talent is essential for the success of government mega-projects, including the 400 trillion won Gwangju Semiconductor Cluster.

It is reported that the value of eligible homes will be capped at 2.5 billion won. The loan limit for the company’s housing stability support program is under review at 500 million won for purchase and 300 million won for jeonse (lump-sum lease). This is interpreted as a measure taken in response to concerns that a system providing large-scale housing funds at low interest rates could circumvent commercial lending regulations and fuel rising home prices.

The interest rate is set at 1.5% per annum; the company plans to treat the remaining 3.1%—which falls below the statutory fair interest rate of 4.6%—as personal income for employees.

Under Samsung Display’s internal housing loan program, repayment consists of a three-year grace period followed by 10 years of equal principal and interest payments, with the principal and interest deducted from monthly salaries. Additionally, a first-priority mortgage must be established, and the borrower’s actual residency status is verified once a year. It appears that SamsungElectronics will establish a housing stability support loan program with similar terms.

The program is expected to be implemented for employees who do not own a home starting this September, following the finalization of details. There will be no limit on the number of loans during the program’s implementation period, which runs through the end of 2035.

Previously, in May, SamsungElectronics introduced a new in-house loan program to provide housing funds following a labor-management agreement.