Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea saw nearly 2 million international visitors in June, propelling the total number of foreign travelers entering the nation during the initial six months of the year beyond a significant milestone. The Emirates News Agency published official government data confirming 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 welcomed 1.99 million foreign tourists, marking a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly increase pushed the cumulative total for the first half of the year 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 baseline 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 expansion. Data on inbound travel indicates that mainland China remained the top single source of international visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the highest year-on-year growth rate among major source countries. The first-half totals show that Chinese visitors reached 3.21 million between January and June. Japan was the second-largest inbound market, with 350,000 visitors in June, bringing its six-month total to 1.95 million travelers. Taiwan held its position as the third-largest origin, with 220,000 arrivals in June and a total of 1.15 million visitors for the first half of the year.
Expanding the geographic reach beyond traditional East Asian markets provided further impetus to South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official entry data shows that long-haul arrivals from North America reached 220,000 visitors in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of those, and bringing the total American inbound visitors to 810,000 for 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, generated a combined 230,000 travelers. Analysts from the government highlighted that visitor numbers from Taiwan and the United States experienced particularly robust growth, increasing by more than 160 percent compared to baseline figures from the first half of 2019, before global travel restrictions.
First Half of the Year Sees International Tourists Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels
Data from transport logistics confirmed that commercial aviation remained the primary mode of entry for inbound travelers, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, international entry patterns showed a rapid shift away from the capital city, as regional airports experienced faster growth compared to major gateways in the Seoul metropolitan area. Inbound travelers via regional airports such as 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 in June. This growth notably outpaced the 18.2 percent increase at main entry points like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The sharp rebound in international arrivals generated record-breaking financial benefits for Korea’s hospitality and retail industries during the first half of the year. According to financial metrics released by the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign tourist credit card expenditures exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new record for tourism revenue. Sector analyses noted that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals topped 10 million in H1, reaching the historic milestone of 6.8 billion U.S. dollars in spending about three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not surpass that figure until September.
June’s Arrival Numbers Hit 1.99 Million Foreign Visitors
Tourism authorities attribute the sustained growth in inbound travel to targeted policy adjustments, increased air route capacities, 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 entry procedures for short-term visitors. Urban development reports from the Seoul AI Foundation highlight that foreign travelers are increasingly exploring destinations outside traditional capital landmarks, leading to double-digit increases in visitors at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and hiking spots like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching the 10 million arrival mark before mid-year strengthens government forecasts aiming for 22 million to 23 million international tourists by year-end. Officials expect the travel momentum to accelerate in the second half, supported by peak summer holidays, autumn festivals, and additional international flights connecting regional airports to major Asian cities. With foreign visitor numbers already exceeding 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism agencies are actively coordinating with hospitality providers, local governments, and transportation companies to maintain infrastructure capacity and broaden regional travel options nationwide.