SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea recorded a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, marking its most significant monthly surplus since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure represents an increase of approximately $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the country posted an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization indicates that June’s surplus was the second-highest monthly total ever recorded, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
This June figure signifies South Korea’s fourth consecutive month of positive tourism balance, following a period of 72 straight months of deficits from March 2020 through February 2026. The country experienced a $1.4034 billion shortfall in January, followed by a $1.0993 billion deficit in February. The trend reversed in March when the balance turned positive at $263.8 million. It remained in surplus in April at $159.9 million and in May at $220.5 million.
Tourism earnings reached $2.784 billion in June, while outbound spending by South Korean travelers hit $2.1874 billion. On average, foreign visitors spent $1,397 each during that month, whereas South Koreans abroad spent an average of $1,091. The difference between inbound tourism receipts and outbound expenses resulted in the $596.6 million surplus, which is the widest positive monthly balance in over 17 years.
Major markets show growth in foreign visitor numbers
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international travelers, reflecting a 23.1% increase compared to the same month in 2025. China remained the largest source of inbound tourists with 649,582 visitors, experiencing a 36.2% rise from the previous year. Japan followed, with 348,216 arrivals, up 21.3%, while Taiwan accounted for 223,127 visitors. Travelers from the Americas totaled 219,948, and European visitors reached 119,445 during June.
Across the first half of 2026, international arrivals totaled 10,709,919, marking an annual increase of 21%. Foreign credit card expenditures by tourists reached 10.0389 trillion won, a 50.8% rise compared to the same period in 2025. In June alone, card spending amounted to 2.0544 trillion won, which is a 66.4% year-on-year increase. The Korea Tourism Organization also recorded 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, reflecting a 42.5% growth.
Travel revenue growth driven by increasing visitor arrivals
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported positive trends from multiple long-haul markets during the first half of 2026. Arrivals from the Americas numbered 1,077,287, up 12.7% from the same period last year. European visitors increased by 20.2% to 738,943 during this period. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors, an 11.1% rise, while Canada provided 157,003 arrivals, up 17.1% compared to the first six months of 2025.
South Korea’s latest monthly surplus follows a three-year stretch of annual tourism deficits exceeding $10 billion, with deficits of $10.38 billion in 2023 and $10.21 billion in 2024. The total shortfall reached $10.76 billion in 2025. However, by June 2026, the monthly balance has been positive for four straight months. The June tourism receipts exceeded outbound spending by $596.6 million, marking the largest monthly surplus since the pandemic and the second-largest ever recorded.