By Chung Hyun-chae



Kim Jun-tae, 32, who got married in 2013, moved from Seoul to Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, last year, to build a house there.



"Living in Seoul costs huge sums, which made both my wife and me work together for a living," Kim told The Korea Times. "We wanted to live a more leisurely life, enjoying what remains of our lives, and opted to move outside of the capital."



Seoul's population continues to decrease amid a growing number of people, like Kim, who are moving to the outskirts of the city.



According to data released by Statistics Korea (KOSTAT), the number of people who left Seoul in 2015 stood at 137,256, the highest since 1997 when 178,000 people moved to the new towns including Bundang and Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province.



At the same time, the suburban population has grown because housing is more affordable outside of the city.



The main reason for leaving, which 84,900 people chose to do last year, was soaring housing prices.



The most sought-after region to which Seoulites headed from January to March was Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, followed by Goyang and Namyangju in the same province.



According to KOSTAT, the number of people registered as Seoul residents stood at 10,009,588, as of March.



Reflecting the recent trend, the figure is expected to fall below the 10-milion mark soon, for the first time in 28 years.



Seoul's population reached 10 million for the first time in 1988 and peaked in 1992. Then the figure has steadily decreased while fluctuating.



"With housing prices remaining inflated, people in their 30s and 40s have rushed to the suburban cities of Seoul to find low-cost housing," said a researcher of the Seoul Institute, a research institute focused on urban policies.



Experts said that the polarization of housing in Seoul will become worse as the most affluent people in the urban area will gather in Gangnam, southern Seoul.



