Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea saw nearly 2 million international arrivals in June, propelling the total foreign visitors for 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, supported by persistent double-digit growth from 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 performance pushed the total for the first half to 10.71 million arrivals, a 21.3 percent increase from 8.8 million during the same period in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, East Asian neighbor countries remained the main drivers of South Korea’s tourism growth. Mainland China continued to lead as the largest source, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest year-on-year growth among major markets. The first-half figures show Chinese visitors reached 3.21 million between January and June. Japan was the second-largest inbound market, with 350,000 visitors in June and a total of 1.95 million over six months. Taiwan held its position as the third-largest origin, contributing 220,000 arrivals in June and totaling 1.15 million in the first half of the year.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets added further momentum to Korea’s tourism recovery. Official entry data revealed that long-haul travelers from North America numbered 220,000 in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of these visitors, reaching a total of 810,000 American arrivals in the first half. European countries contributed 120,000 arrivals in June, while the six leading Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, brought in 230,000 visitors. Analysts pointed out that visitor numbers from Taiwan and the US grew notably, increasing over 160 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels recorded in the first half of 2019.
First-Half International Arrivals Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels
Transport data indicated that commercial flights remained the primary mode of entry, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million arrivals in June. Notably, international arrivals showed a shift away from Seoul’s main gateways, with regional airports experiencing faster growth. In June, arrivals at regional facilities like Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport increased by 42.5 percent year-on-year to 395,246 visitors. This outpaced the 18.2 percent growth seen at major capital airports such as Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The surge in international travelers brought record-breaking revenue to Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors in the first half of the year. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign visitor credit card spending topped 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new tourism revenue record. Analysts noted that while Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million in H1, the $6.8 billion spending milestone was reached about three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures only surpassed that level in September.
June’s Arrival Numbers Hit 1.99 Million, Signaling Robust Tourism Growth
Tourism authorities credit targeted policy changes, increased air route capacities, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports for the ongoing growth. Measures like extending visa-free programs for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes eased entry processes for short-term visitors. Seoul AI Foundation reports show travelers are increasingly exploring areas outside traditional capital landmarks, with notable growth at outdoor markets, cultural sites, and hiking spots such as Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching over 10 million arrivals before midyear reinforces government forecasts of 22 million to 23 million international tourists for the full year. Officials expect travel momentum to intensify in the second half, supported by summer vacations, autumn festivals, and additional flights connecting regional airports to major Asian cities. With foreign arrivals already 27 percent above 2019 pre-pandemic levels, tourism agencies are actively collaborating with hospitality providers, local governments, and transportation operators to expand infrastructure and regional travel opportunities nationwide.