The growth of South Korea's household loans picked up in April despite government-led measures to tighten home-backed lending to cool the overheated real estate market.

According to the Bank of Korea on Monday, total household debt rose by seven-point-three trillion won in April, compared to the five trillion won rise recorded in March.

Outstanding household loans amounted to 781-point-five trillion won as of the end of April, up five-point-one trillion won from a month earlier.

Non-mortgage loans, including overdraft lending, added two-point-seven trillion won on-month to 202-point-one trillion won, the largest monthly growth recorded for the month of April.

The BOK explained that more people needed loans to move home in the spring season.