Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea reported nearly 2 million international visitors in June, pushing the total number of foreign travelers arriving in the country during the initial six months of the year past a significant milestone. Official data released by Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million in H1, driven by consistent double-digit growth in key regional source markets. Data compiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism indicate that 1.99 million foreign tourists arrived in June alone, a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly increase brought the cumulative first-half figure 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 remained the primary contributors to South Korea’s tourism growth. Data show that mainland China stayed as the leading source of international visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest year-on-year growth among major source nations. The cumulative total for Chinese visitors from January to June reached 3.21 million. Japan ranked second with 350,000 visitors in June, bringing its six-month total to 1.95 million travelers. Taiwan continued its position as the third-largest source market, contributing 220,000 arrivals in June and a total of 1.15 million visitors over the first six months of the year.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets added further momentum to South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official entry figures revealed that long-haul arrivals from North America hit 220,000 visitors in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of those and bringing the first-half American inbound total to 810,000. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 arrivals during June, while the six key Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, added a combined 230,000 travelers. Authorities highlighted that visitor numbers from Taiwan and the U.S. experienced notable growth, increasing by over 160 percent compared to baseline figures from the first half of 2019, prior to the global travel restrictions.
First Half International Tourist Numbers Outperform Pre-Pandemic Levels
Data from transportation logistics demonstrated that commercial flights remained the main route for incoming travelers, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, the pattern of international arrivals showed a shift away from Seoul, as regional airports experienced faster growth than the major gateways in the Seoul metropolitan area. June arrivals through 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 to reach 395,246 visitors. This growth rate significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent rise at primary entry hubs like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The rebound in international arrivals has led to record-breaking financial gains for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors in the first half of the year. The Korea Tourism Organization’s reports show that foreign tourist credit card spending surpassed 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new tourism revenue record. Sector analysis noted that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals crossed the 10 million mark in H1 while reaching the historic spending milestone of 6.8 billion U.S. dollars nearly three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not exceed this figure until September.
June Monthly Arrivals Hit 1.99 Million Foreign Visitors
Government officials responsible for tourism credit the ongoing growth in inbound travel to strategic policy adjustments, increased air route capacity, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Initiatives like extending temporary visa-free entry programs for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have eased entry procedures for short-term visitors. Urban planning reports from the Seoul AI Foundation indicate that tourists are increasingly exploring destinations beyond Seoul’s traditional landmarks, boosting double-digit visitor numbers at outdoor markets, heritage sites, and hiking spots such as Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Surpassing the 10 million tourist arrivals before midyear reinforces government projections of reaching 22 million to 23 million international visitors by year-end. Officials expect travel momentum to accelerate further in the second half, supported by summer holidays, autumn festivals, and additional international flights linking regional airports with major Asian cities. With foreign visitor counts already exceeding 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, agencies continue collaborating with hospitality providers, regional governments, and transport companies to maintain infrastructure capacity and expand travel options across the country.