Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea welcomed nearly 2 million international visitors in June, pushing the total number of foreign travelers entering the country during the first six months of the year past a major milestone. Official government data published by Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals top 10 million in H1 following sustained double-digit growth across key regional source markets. Statistics compiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism show that 1.99 million foreign tourists arrived in June alone, representing a 23.1 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The robust monthly surge elevated the cumulative first-half total to 10.71 million visitor arrivals, reflecting a 21.3 percent expansion from the 8.8 million recorded during the corresponding period in 2025 and exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 baseline levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, South Korea’s tourism industry continued to be driven mainly by neighboring East Asian nations. Data on inbound travel shows that mainland China remained the top source of international visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest year-on-year growth rate among major source countries. The first-half totals indicate that Chinese visitors reached 3.21 million arrivals from January to June. Coming in second, Japan contributed 350,000 visitors in June, with a six-month total of 1.95 million travelers. Meanwhile, Taiwan maintained its position as the third-largest source market, with 220,000 arrivals during June and a total of 1.15 million visitors in the first half of the year.
Diverse geographic sources beyond traditional East Asian markets have given additional momentum to South Korea’s tourism rebound. Official data on international arrivals reveals that long-haul travelers from North America reached 220,000 in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of those visitors and totaling 810,000 inbound travelers in the first half. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 arrivals in June, while the six primary Southeast Asian source nations, including the Philippines, brought in a combined 230,000 visitors. Analysts from the government highlighted particularly strong growth from both Taiwan and the United States, with increases of over 160 percent compared to pre-pandemic figures from the first half of 2019, prior to global travel restrictions.
Mainland China and Japan Drive Regional Inbound Market Growth
Transport data indicates that air travel remains the main route for inbound travelers, with 1.74 million foreign arrivals recorded in June via airlines. Notably, international entry patterns are shifting away from Seoul’s major airports, as regional airports experienced faster growth rates. In June, arrivals through regional airports—including Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport—increased by 42.5 percent year-on-year, reaching 395,246 visitors. This growth significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent increase at primary gateways like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The sharp rise in international arrivals has generated record-breaking revenues for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half of the year. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization shows that foreign visitors’ credit card spending surpassed 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new tourism revenue record. Tourism analysis reveals that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million in H1, while spending hit the historic 6.8 billion U.S. dollar mark roughly three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures didn’t surpass that level until September.
Chinese Visitor Numbers Continue to Propel Travel Growth Metrics
Authorities in charge of tourism credit the ongoing growth to targeted policy adjustments, expanded airline routes, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Initiatives such as the extension of temporary visa-free programs for organized Chinese tour groups and the restoration of international flight routes have eased entry procedures for short-term visitors. The Seoul AI Foundation’s reports indicate that more foreign travelers are exploring destinations beyond traditional capital landmarks, leading to double-digit increases at outdoor markets, cultural sites, and hiking spots like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching the 10 million visitor milestone before the midpoint of the year boosts government expectations of attracting between 22 million and 23 million international tourists by year’s end. Officials believe that travel momentum will intensify in the second half, driven by peak summer vacations, autumn festivals, and increased international flight connections from regional airports to major Asian cities. With foreign arrivals already exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism authorities are actively working with hospitality providers, local governments, and transportation companies to maintain infrastructure capacity and broaden regional travel options across the country.