Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea saw nearly 2 million international travelers arrive in June, pushing the total number of foreign visitors entering the country during the first six months of the year past a significant milestone. 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 from major regional source markets. According to statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, June alone welcomed 1.99 million foreign tourists, representing a 23.1 percent rise from the same month last year. This strong monthly growth increased the cumulative first-half total to 10.71 million arrivals, a 21.3 percent increase compared to 8.8 million during the same period in 2025, and it has exceeded the pre-pandemic 2019 baseline levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, neighboring East Asian countries continued to be the primary sources driving South Korea’s tourism resurgence. Entry records indicate that mainland China remained the leading source of international arrivals, with 650,000 visitors in June, also showing the fastest year-on-year growth among major markets. Cumulative figures for January through June show Chinese visitors reached 3.21 million. Japan ranked as the second-largest inbound market, with 350,000 visitors in June, totaling 1.95 million over the first six months. Taiwan held its position as the third-largest source, contributing 220,000 arrivals in June and reaching a total of 1.15 million visitors during the same period.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets provided additional momentum for South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official data revealed that long-haul arrivals from North America amounted to 220,000 visitors in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of those travelers, resulting in a total American inbound count of 810,000 during the first half of the year. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 arrivals in June, while the six primary Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, added a combined 230,000 travelers. Officials highlighted that visitor numbers from both Taiwan and the United States experienced particularly strong growth, expanding by over 160 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels recorded during the first half of 2019, prior to global travel restrictions.
International Tourist Numbers in H1 Surpass Pre-Pandemic Figures
Data from transport logistics confirms that commercial flights remained the main route for inbound travelers, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, patterns of international entry show a rapid decentralization from Seoul, as regional airports experienced accelerated growth compared to major gateways in the Seoul metropolitan area. Inbound travelers through regional facilities like Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport surged by 42.5 percent year-on-year, reaching 395,246 visitors in June. This growth rate far exceeded the 18.2 percent increase observed at central airports such as Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The remarkable rebound in international arrivals generated record-breaking revenue for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first six months. According to financial data published by the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign visitor credit card spending surpassed 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new tourism revenue record. Industry analysis indicates that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals already exceeded 10 million in H1, with tourism expenditures reaching the historic $6.8 billion mark roughly three months earlier than in 2025, when the same spending level was not surpassed until September. This demonstrates the rapid recovery and growth in both visitor numbers and tourism-related spending.
June Sees 1.99 Million Foreign Travelers Arriving in Korea
Officials from tourism authorities credit ongoing growth in inbound travel to targeted policy adjustments, increased airline capacity, and the rising global popularity of Korean cultural exports. Measures such as extending temporary visa-free programs for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have directly facilitated easier entry for short-term visitors. Urban development reports from the Seoul AI Foundation show that foreign tourists are increasingly exploring destinations beyond traditional capital attractions, leading to double-digit growth at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and scenic hiking trails such as Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Hitting the 10 million arrivals milestone before mid-year enhances government projections aiming for 22 million to 23 million international visitors by year-end. Officials expect the travel momentum to accelerate in the second half, supported by peak summer holidays, autumn festivals, and additional international flight routes linking regional airports to major Asian cities. With foreign arrivals already surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism agencies continue coordinating with hotels, regional governments, and transportation providers to maintain infrastructure capacity and develop new regional travel routes nationwide.