Coldwell Banker has entered South Korea through two master franchises, strengthening its international real estate network with residential and commercial property services led by local executive Myoung-Sik Kim.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate has expanded into South Korea with the launch of Coldwell Banker Korea and Coldwell Banker Commercial Korea under master franchise agreements, extending the US-founded real estate brand’s reach into one of Asia’s most digitally connected property markets.
Announced on October 15, 2026, the two businesses will be led by Myoung-Sik Kim, chief executive officer of both entities, and headquartered in Seoul’s Gangnam district. The residential and commercial operations will serve domestic and international clients, combining local market expertise with Coldwell Banker’s global brand recognition and professional network.
The first office to open will be Coldwell Banker Commercial EKR, which will bring together existing real estate professionals specialising in commercial property. Its services will cover acquisitions and disposals, leasing, asset management, market analysis, property valuation, strategic marketing and investment advisory. Coldwell Banker Korea will subsequently develop the brand’s residential real estate presence in the country.
The launch gives Coldwell Banker an entry point into South Korea’s residential and commercial property sectors, where demand for prime assets, constrained housing supply and growing investor interest in hospitality, data centres and industrial real estate are creating opportunities for specialist advisory services.
Kim said the business aims to combine South Korea’s advanced technology infrastructure with data-driven real estate services and international connectivity. “Korea’s world-class technology infrastructure provides a strong foundation for bringing together AI, data, and real estate expertise in new ways,” Kim said. He added that the business intends to combine its understanding of the local market with Coldwell Banker’s global resources to provide a more integrated and transparent property experience.
Mary Lee Blaylock, President of Coldwell Banker Affiliates, said South Korea’s evolving property market and changing client expectations made it an important market for the brand’s international network. She highlighted Kim’s local expertise and the resources of the wider organisation as key elements of the launch.
Founded in 1906, Coldwell Banker has developed a global real estate network spanning residential and commercial brokerage services. Its international model includes master franchise arrangements that enable local operators to develop the brand in individual markets, supported by its international reach, established brand identity and professional resources.
According to the company, its network comprised approximately 88,000 affiliated sales professionals across more than 50 countries and territories at the time of the South Korea announcement. Its international website reported more than 93,000 agents as of December 31, 2025, reflecting a different reporting date and network count.
The South Korea launch follows a broader international expansion drive in 2026. In April, Coldwell Banker announced the launch of Coldwell Banker Germany under a master franchise led by Florian Freytag-Gross, targeting premium residential and commercial property markets, including Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin.
The company also announced the launch of Coldwell Banker Greece in May, alongside further international network development. In its second-quarter 2026 update, Coldwell Banker reported adding 20 offices across 10 countries internationally, including new master franchise arrangements in Germany, Greece and Uzbekistan.
Coldwell Banker is part of Compass International Holdings, a global real estate services group. The brand’s franchise and affiliate structure allows independently operated businesses to use its established identity and network while delivering services tailored to their respective markets.
