What kind of expo is it?
The Jipconomy Expo is a real estate fair run by the Korea Economic Daily (한국경제신문); 2026 was its 12th edition. ("Jipconomy" blends the Korean word jip, meaning "home," with "economy.") It focuses mainly on buying a home and new-build sales, but this year it added a dedicated senior housing pavilion and senior housing seminars, giving people planning their post-retirement housing plenty to see.
| Event | Jipconomy Expo 2026 (집코노미 박람회 2026) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Wednesday, September 30 – Thursday, October 1, 2026, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (ended) |
| Venue | COEX Hall D (3F), Samseong-dong, Seoul |
| Admission | Free with pre-registration, KRW 10,000 on site |
| Official site | jipconomy.kr (Korean) |
Senior housing programs
Senior housing pavilion
The exhibition was organized into five pavilions: public institutions, builders, real estate development, sales marketing, and real estate growth. Within these, developers such as MDM Plus and Homeflix ran a senior housing pavilion, presenting senior housing projects in Seoul and in areas such as Uiwang and Songpa.
Senior housing seminars
On the second day, seminars on senior housing were held, including "The Present and Future of Senior Housing in Korea." At the side event "Jipconomy Concert 2026," Park Mi-sun, head of the Housing Policy Research Center at the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS), spoke on "A super-aged society: restructuring housing conditions and policy for older adults." The talk proposed expanding support for home modifications so people can keep living in their own homes, and increasing the supply of senior housing combined with care services.
What housing options are there after retirement?
The topics covered at the expo boil down to three broad housing options after retirement:
- Downsizing: moving to a smaller home after the children leave, to cut upkeep and living costs.
- Aging in place (home modification): staying in your familiar home and neighborhood while adapting the home with features such as threshold removal, bathroom grab bars, and non-slip flooring.
- Senior housing and retirement communities: moving to housing that comes with meals, health care, and leisure services. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has also announced plans to supply 12,000 units of "Seoul-style senior housing" with linked meal, care, and medical services by 2035.
When is the next one?
The Jipconomy Expo is held every year, but the 2027 dates had not been announced at the time of writing. Once the official site posts the dates, pre-registering gets you in free.
Tips for senior housing consultations
Check these before you sign
- The full cost: Beyond the deposit and monthly fee, check whether meals, maintenance, or extra services are charged separately.
- Deposit refund terms: Check in the contract when and how much of your deposit you get back if you move out or need to move to a care facility.
- Links to medical care: Ask about the distance to the nearest hospital, whether you can stay if your health declines, and whether it connects to long-term care services.
- Visit in person: Facilities still in the pre-sale stage may look different when completed. If possible, tour a facility that is already operating and talk to residents.
Please keep in mind
- This article is based on information checked as of the date shown at the top. New research or changes in official guidelines may change the details, so please use it as a reference rather than taking it as definitive.
- Details such as schedules, rules, and costs can change, so confirm them with the organizers or the relevant agencies before you decide. For any health-related decision, please see a doctor in person.