SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea recorded a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, marking its strongest monthly performance since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The monthly surplus increased by approximately $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the country experienced an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization identified June as the second-highest monthly tourism surplus ever recorded, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
This June figure signifies South Korea’s fourth straight month of positive tourism balance. The country had faced deficits for 72 consecutive months from March 2020 through February 2026. In January, the deficit was $1.4034 billion, followed by a $1.0993 billion shortfall in February. The balance turned positive again in March at $263.8 million, and it remained in surplus at $159.9 million in April and $220.5 million in May.
Tourism revenue reached $2.784 billion in June, while South Korean travelers spent $2.1874 billion abroad. The average expenditure per foreign visitor during the month was $1,397, whereas outbound South Korean tourists spent an average of $1,091. The difference between inbound tourism earnings and outbound spending resulted in the $596.6 million surplus, the largest positive monthly balance in more than 17 years.
Major markets see rising international visitor numbers
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international visitors, a 23.1% increase compared to the same month in 2025. China contributed 649,582 visitors, maintaining its position as the largest source of inbound tourism, with a 36.2% rise from the previous year. Japan followed with 348,216 visitors, up 21.3%, and Taiwan accounted for 223,127 arrivals. Visitors from the Americas totaled 219,948, while European travelers numbered 119,445 during June.
Over the first half of 2026, international arrivals reached 10,709,919, reflecting a 21% year-on-year growth. During this period, foreign tourists spent a total of 10.0389 trillion won on credit cards, an increase of 50.8% compared to the same span in 2025. In June alone, card spending hit 2.0544 trillion won, a 66.4% rise from the previous year. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization reported 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, marking a 42.5% increase.
Tourism income expands with growing visitor numbers
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism highlighted gains from several long-haul markets during the first half of the year. Arrivals from the Americas reached 1,077,287, up 12.7% from the previous year. European visitors increased by 20.2% to 738,943 over the same period. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors, an 11.1% increase, while Canada brought in 157,003 arrivals, up 17.1% compared to the first half of 2025.
South Korea’s latest monthly surplus follows three consecutive years of annual tourism deficits exceeding $10 billion. The country posted deficits of $10.38 billion in 2023 and $10.21 billion in 2024, with a total shortfall of $10.76 billion in 2025. However, by June 2026, the monthly balance had been positive for four months in a row. The June tourism receipts surpassed outbound tourism spending by $596.6 million, marking the country’s largest monthly surplus since the pandemic and its second-highest ever.
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