Tourists visit Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, May 13. Yonhap

Korea's content industry exports hit a record high last year, buoyed by government policies to nurture the "K-content" industry into a key growth sector, the culture ministry said Tuesday.

Content exports tentatively reached $14.9 billion in 2025, compared with $14.1 billion the previous year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The number of overseas tourists who visited Korea also rose to a new high of 18.9 million last year, up from 16.3 million a year earlier.

The amount of credit card spending by foreigners in Korea hit a record high of $14.1 billion, the ministry added, attributing the increase to relaxed entry policies and strengthened marketing efforts.