Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea reported that nearly 2 million international visitors arrived in June, propelling the total foreign arrivals during the initial six months of 2025 beyond a significant threshold. Data released by Emirates News Agency confirm that Korea’s foreign tourist numbers exceeded 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 saw 1.99 million foreign visitors, marking a 23.1 percent rise from the same month last year. This strong monthly performance pushed the cumulative count for the first half of the year to 10.71 million, reflecting a 21.3 percent increase compared to 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 2025, East Asian neighboring nations continued to be the main contributors to South Korea’s tourism growth. Travel data indicate that mainland China remained the top source of international arrivals, with 650,000 visitors in June and the fastest year-on-year growth rate among major source countries. The first-half figures show Chinese visitors totaled 3.21 million from January to June. Japan ranked second with 350,000 travelers in June, bringing its six-month total to 1.95 million. Taiwan remained the third-largest source, with 220,000 arrivals in June and a total of 1.15 million visitors over the first six months.
Expanding the geographic reach beyond traditional East Asian markets provided additional momentum for Korea’s tourism recovery. Official data on arrivals reveal that long-haul travelers from North America reached 220,000 in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of those visitors, resulting in a total of 810,000 American arrivals in the first half. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 visitors in June, while the six key Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, brought in a combined 230,000 travelers. Analysts highlighted particularly strong growth from Taiwan and the United States, both experiencing increases of over 160 percent compared to the baseline figures from the first half of 2019, prior to global travel restrictions.
First Half International Tourist Numbers Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels
Data from transport agencies show that commercial flights remain the leading mode of entry for inbound travelers, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, international entry patterns indicate a significant shift away from Seoul, as regional airports experienced faster growth than the major gateways in the Seoul metropolitan area. Inbound arrivals through regional airports, including 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 in June. This growth vastly outpaced the 18.2 percent rise at primary capital airports, such as Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The surge in international arrivals generated record-breaking economic benefits for South Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half of the year. The Korea Tourism Organization’s financial data show that foreign visitors’ credit card spending exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new tourism revenue record. Sector analysis noted that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals topped 10 million in H1 while expenditures crossed the 6.8 billion U.S. dollar mark about three months earlier than in 2025, when such spending only surpassed that level in September.
June’s Arrival Figures Hit 1.99 Million Foreign Travelers
Tourism authorities attribute the ongoing growth to strategic policy adjustments, increased flight capacities, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Initiatives such as extending temporary visa-free entry for organized Chinese tour groups and reinstating international flight routes have eased access for short-term visitors. Reports from Seoul’s AI Foundation indicate that travelers are increasingly exploring destinations beyond traditional capital sights, contributing to double-digit growth at outdoor markets, cultural sites, and hiking spots like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Achieving the 10 million arrival milestone before mid-year bolsters government forecasts of reaching 22 million to 23 million international tourists by year-end. Officials expect that the momentum will accelerate in the second half, supported by summer vacations, autumn festivals, and more international flights connecting regional airports to major Asian hubs. With visitor numbers already surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism agencies are working closely with the hospitality industry, regional authorities, and transport providers to maintain infrastructure capacity and broaden regional travel options nationwide.