Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea welcomed almost 2 million international visitors in June, contributing to a milestone where the total number of foreign travelers entering the nation during the initial six months of the year exceeded 10 million. Data released by the Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals surpassed 10 million in H1, driven by consistent double-digit growth in key regional source markets. According to statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, June alone saw 1.99 million foreign tourists arriving, marking a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This robust monthly increase pushed the first-half total to 10.71 million visitors, representing a 21.3 percent growth from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025 and surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, East Asian neighboring countries continued to be the main contributors to South Korea’s tourism growth. Records of inbound arrivals indicate that mainland China remained the top source of international visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the highest year-on-year growth rate among major source markets. The cumulative figure for Chinese visitors from January to June reached 3.21 million. Japan ranked second among inbound markets with 350,000 visitors in June, and its six-month total reached 1.95 million. Meanwhile, Taiwan held its position as the third-largest country of origin, with 220,000 arrivals in June and a total of 1.15 million visitors in the first half of the year.
Expanding beyond the traditional East Asian markets helped propel South Korea’s tourism recovery further. Official data on international entry showed that long-distance arrivals from North America hit 220,000 visitors in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744. This brought the total American inbound travelers to 810,000 for the first half of the year. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 arrivals during June, while the six primary Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, brought in a combined 230,000 travelers. Analysts from the government emphasized that visitor numbers from both Taiwan and the United States experienced particularly strong growth, increasing by more than 160 percent compared to pre-pandemic baseline figures from the first half of 2019, prior to global travel restrictions.
First Half International Tourist Numbers Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels
Data from the transportation sector showed that commercial flights remained the primary mode of entry, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, international entry patterns demonstrated a swift decentralization away from Seoul, as regional airports experienced faster growth compared to key gateways in the Seoul metropolitan area. Regional airports such as Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport saw arrivals jump 42.5 percent year-on-year to reach 395,246 visitors in June. This increase significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent rise at major capital entry points including Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The surge in international arrivals translated into record-breaking economic gains for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half of the year. According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign visitor credit card spending exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new tourism revenue record. Sector analysts highlighted that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million in H1, reaching the historic milestone of 6.8 billion U.S. dollars in spending nearly three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not surpass this threshold until September.
June Arrivals Reach 1.99 Million International Visitors
Tourism authorities attribute the ongoing growth in inbound travel to strategic policy adjustments, increased air route capacity, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Measures such as extending temporary visa-free entry programs for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have simplified access for short-term visitors. Urban development reports from the Seoul AI Foundation indicated that foreign tourists are increasingly exploring destinations beyond traditional capital landmarks, resulting in double-digit growth at outdoor markets, cultural sites, and hiking spots like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Achieving over 10 million visitors before the halfway point of the year reinforces government forecasts of reaching 22 million to 23 million international tourists by year-end. Officials from the Ministry expect the momentum to accelerate in the second half, supported by peak summer holidays, autumn festivals, and additional international flights connecting regional airports with major Asian cities. With foreign visitor numbers already exceeding 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism agencies continue coordinating with hospitality providers, regional authorities, and transport companies to sustain infrastructure growth and promote regional travel routes across the country.
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