Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea saw nearly 2 million foreign visitors in June, driving the total number of international arrivals during the first six months of the year past a significant threshold. Data released by the Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist numbers exceeded 10 million in H1, supported by consistent double-digit growth across key regional markets. According to statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 1.99 million foreigners visited in June alone, marking a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly growth pushed the total for the first half to 10.71 million visitors, a 21.3 percent increase from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, East Asian neighboring countries remained the primary drivers of South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official travel data indicate that mainland China continued to be the largest single source of visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest growth rate among major source countries. Total Chinese visitors from January to June reached 3.21 million. Japan ranked as the second-largest inbound market, with 350,000 visitors in June, bringing its six-month total to 1.95 million. Taiwan maintained its position as the third-largest source market, with 220,000 arrivals during June and a total of 1.15 million visitors during the first half of the year.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets provided additional momentum to South Korea’s international tourism rebound. Official data show that long-haul arrivals from North America hit 220,000 visitors in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of these, pushing the total American inbound figures for the first half to 810,000. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 arrivals in June, while the six main Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, added a combined 230,000 travelers. Officials highlighted that visitor numbers from Taiwan and the United States grew significantly, increasing by more than 160 percent compared to pre-pandemic figures from the first half of 2019.
Mainland China and Japan Continue to Drive Regional Tourism Expansion
Transport data show that commercial air travel remained the leading route for inbound visitors, with 1.74 million arrivals in June. Notably, international arrivals are dispersing away from Seoul’s main gateways, as regional airports experience faster growth. In June, regional airports such as Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport saw a 42.5 percent year-on-year increase, reaching 395,246 visitors. This growth significantly outstripped the 18.2 percent increase at primary entry points like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The resurgence in international arrivals has brought record-breaking financial gains for South Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half of the year. According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign visitors’ credit card expenditures exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new all-time tourism revenue record. Analysis indicates that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals surpassed 10 million in H1, and the total expenditure hit 6.8 billion U.S. dollars approximately three months earlier than in 2025, when the same milestone was only reached in September.
Chinese Tourist Numbers Continue to Boost Travel Growth Indicators
Officials from tourism authorities attribute the ongoing growth in inbound travel to strategic policy adjustments, expanded air route capacity, and the rising global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Measures such as extending temporary visa-free policies for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have simplified entry for short-term visitors. Urban planning reports from the Seoul AI Foundation reveal that foreign travelers increasingly explore destinations beyond the usual capital landmarks, leading to double-digit increases at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and scenic areas like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching the 10 million arrival mark before midyear reinforces government forecasts of welcoming between 22 million and 23 million international tourists by year’s end. Officials expect this upward trend to accelerate in the second half, buoyed by peak summer travel, fall festivals, and additional international flight routes linking regional airports to major Asian cities. With total foreign arrivals already surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism agencies are actively working with hospitality providers, regional administrations, and transportation companies to maintain infrastructure capacity and broaden regional travel options nationwide.