Province becomes first in nation to directly run licensed real estate agent training
South Chungcheong Province is taking steps to build a more trustworthy real estate brokerage service environment.
The provincial government announced Tuesday that it will directly oversee continuing education for licensed real estate agents operating in the province starting this year.
The continuing education is a legally mandated requirement under the Licensed Real Estate Agents Act, which requires agents to complete the training every two years after finishing their initial practical education.
The province had previously delegated the program to the Korea Association of Realtors, but switched to direct operation this year to strengthen the public character of the education and build a practice-oriented curriculum better suited to the changing real estate market.
The program combines online and in-person instruction. The online component will run through "Ontong Baeumseo," the province's online lifelong learning platform, from July 1 to July 31, allowing participants to take courses at their own convenience.
In-person sessions will be held sequentially from August through September, with the province's 15 cities and counties divided into eight regional clusters to improve accessibility and convenience for participants.
The curriculum is built around practical, field-applicable content covering real estate transaction accident prevention, brokerage practice, real estate transaction information networks, and the latest legislative amendments.
Particular emphasis will be placed on preventing jeonse fraud and other real estate transaction accidents — issues that have emerged as growing social concerns — with the aim of raising the professionalism and accountability of licensed agents and creating a transaction environment where residents can feel secure.
"Through training run directly by the province, we will strengthen the professional capabilities of licensed real estate agents in the region, establish a sound real estate transaction order and protect residents' property rights," said Lim Taek-bin, head of the provincial land management division. "We will continue to do our utmost to improve the professionalism and ethical awareness of licensed agents and create a trusted real estate brokerage service environment."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
