South Korea receives 10.7 million foreign visitors in first half, surpassing pre-Covid levels - VnExpress International

The first-half total was also 26.9% higher than in the corresponding period of 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Korea Times reported.

Mainland China remained South Korea's largest inbound tourism market, accounting for 3.21 million arrivals.

Japan ranked second with 1.95 million visitors, followed by Taiwan with 1.15 million, the U.S. with 810,000 and the Philippines with 360,000.

Tourists walk at Hanok Bukchon Village in Seoul, South Korea, April 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Phong

South Korea exceeded 10 million inbound visitors in late June, around one month earlier than it did in 2025, reinforcing expectations that the country can meet its target of attracting between 22 million and 23 million overseas visitors in 2026, The Korea Herald reported.