An asset management firm said Thursday that about 10 percent of all large buildings in Seoul are under foreign ownership, citing the result of its survey of 678 buildings which are 10 stories or higher.

Shin Young Asset Co. said the figure constitutes 7.5 percent of all buildings surveyed in terms of floor space in the first half of this year, sharply up from 1.6 percent in 2000.

It added that foreigners began intensive purchasing of large buildings following the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, when the nation's real estate prices crashed.

According to the company, the buying spree raised foreign ownership of city buildings from 0.1 percent in 1998 to 7.3 percent in 2002.

The targets of the latest purchases by overseas investors include buildings of Hansol, SKC, Daewoo Securities and Hyundai Merchant Marine.