Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – Nearly 2 million international tourists visited the Republic of Korea in June, propelling the total foreign arrivals during the first half of the year past a significant milestone. Official statistics released by Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist numbers surpassed 10 million in H1, driven by consistent double-digit growth in major regional markets. Data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism show that 1.99 million foreign visitors came in June alone, a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly growth pushed the cumulative count for the first half of the year to 10.71 million visitors, a 21.3 percent increase from the 8.8 million recorded in the same period of 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, East Asian neighboring countries remained the main contributors to South Korea’s tourism expansion. Records show that mainland China continued to be the largest source of international travelers, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest growth rate among major origin nations. The cumulative figures for January through June indicate that Chinese visitors 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 held its spot as the third-largest source, contributing 220,000 arrivals in June and totaling 1.15 million visitors during the first half of the year.
Diversification of geographic sources beyond traditional East Asian markets has added further momentum to South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official entry data show that long-haul arrivals from North America reached 220,000 in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 visitors and raising the total American inbound figure to 810,000 for the first half. European countries combined brought in 120,000 travelers in June, while the six primary Southeast Asian origin countries, including the Philippines, contributed a total of 230,000 visitors. Analysts pointed out that visitor numbers from Taiwan and the U.S. experienced particularly robust growth, increasing by more than 160 percent compared to figures from the first half of 2019, before global travel restrictions were in place.
Mainland China and Japan Drive Regional Tourism Growth
Transport data showed that commercial flights remained the main mode of entry, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, international travel patterns indicated a swift shift away from the capital city, as regional airports experienced faster growth than major gateways like Seoul. Arrivals through regional airports—including Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport—rose by 42.5 percent year-on-year, reaching 395,246 visitors in June. This surge significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent increase at main entry points such as Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport.
The surge in international arrivals generated record-breaking revenue for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first six months. According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign visitors’ credit card spending exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new tourism revenue record. Sector analysis noted that foreign tourist arrivals topped 10 million in H1, and the spending milestone of 6.8 billion dollars was reached roughly three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not break that threshold until September.
Chinese Tourist Numbers Sustain Growth Trends
Officials attribute the steady growth in inbound travel to strategic policy adjustments, expanded air service capacity, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Measures like extending temporary visa-free entry programs for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have eased entry for short-term visitors. Reports from the Seoul AI Foundation indicate that foreign tourists are increasingly exploring destinations beyond traditional capital landmarks, leading to double-digit growth at outdoor markets, cultural sites, and hiking spots such as Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching 10 million arrivals before midyear reinforces government projections of attracting 22 million to 23 million international tourists by year-end. Officials expect the travel momentum to accelerate in the second half, buoyed by peak summer holidays, autumn festivals, and additional international flights connecting regional airports to major Asian cities. With foreign visitor numbers already 27 percent above pre-pandemic 2019 levels, tourism authorities continue collaborating with hospitality providers, regional governments, and transport operators to maintain infrastructure capacity and expand regional travel options nationwide.