SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea reported a tourism surplus of $596.6 million for June 2026, marking its strongest monthly figure since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. This represents an increase of approximately $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the country experienced an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization indicated that June’s surplus was the second-highest on record, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
This figure signifies South Korea’s fourth consecutive month of positive tourism balance after a long stretch of deficits. From March 2020 through February 2026, the nation endured 72 consecutive months of negative figures. January’s deficit was $1.4034 billion, followed by February’s $1.0993 billion shortfall. The situation shifted in March, with a surplus of $263.8 million. April and May continued the trend, with balances of $159.9 million and $220.5 million, respectively.
Tourism revenues reached $2.784 billion in June, while South Korean residents spent $2.1874 billion abroad. The average expenditure per foreign visitor was $1,397, whereas outbound South Korean travelers spent an average of $1,091 each. The difference between inbound tourism income and outbound expenses resulted in the $596.6 million surplus, the largest positive monthly balance in over 17 years.
International Visitor Numbers Increase in Key Markets
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international visitors, reflecting a 23.1% rise from the same month in 2025. China remained the top source market with 649,582 visitors, a 36.2% increase from the previous year. Japan contributed 348,216 visitors, up 21.3%, while Taiwan brought in 223,127 arrivals. Visitors from the Americas totaled 219,948, and European arrivals reached 119,445 during June.
Over the first half of 2026, international arrivals reached 10,709,919, showing a 21% rise compared to the same period last year. Foreign tourist credit card spending amounted to 10.0389 trillion won, which is a 50.8% increase from the first six months of 2025. June alone saw card spending hit 2.0544 trillion won, a year-on-year growth of 66.4%. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization reported 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, a 42.5% increase.
Tourism Revenue Growth Driven by Rising Arrival Numbers
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism data show notable gains from multiple long-haul markets in the first half of the year. Arrival figures from the Americas reached 1,077,287, an increase of 12.7% year-over-year. European arrivals grew by 20.2% to 738,943 during this period. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors, up 11.1%, while Canada saw an increase of 17.1%, totaling 157,003 arrivals compared to the first half of 2025.
South Korea’s recent monthly tourism surplus follows three years of annual deficits exceeding $10 billion, with $10.38 billion in 2023, $10.21 billion in 2024, and a peak of $10.76 billion in 2025. By June 2026, the country had recorded positive balances for four consecutive months. June’s receipts outpaced outbound tourism spending by $596.6 million, marking the largest monthly surplus since the pandemic and the second-highest total ever.
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