SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea posted a tourism surplus of $596.6 million in June 2026, marking its strongest monthly outcome since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure represents an improvement of $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the balance showed an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization indicate that June’s tourism surplus ranks as the second-largest on record, surpassed only by October 2008 with a surplus of $661.5 million.
From March 2020 through February 2026, the tourism balance had remained in deficit for 72 consecutive months. January 2026 recorded a $1.4034 billion shortfall, followed by February with a $1.0993 billion deficit. However, the situation turned positive in March with a $263.8 million surplus. April saw a modest surplus of $159.9 million, and May followed with $220.5 million, indicating a recovery trend that extended into June.
In June, tourism revenue reached $2.784 billion, while expenditures amounted to $2.1874 billion. On average, foreign visitors spent $1,397 per person during the month, whereas outbound travelers from South Korea spent an average of $1,091. The difference between receipts and expenditures resulted in a monthly surplus for the fourth consecutive time, significantly reversing the deficits recorded earlier in 2026.
Sharp Rise in International Arrivals in June
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international tourists, reflecting a 23.1% increase from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. China remained the leading source of visitors, with 649,582 arrivals—up 36.2% from June 2025. Japan followed with 348,216 arrivals, an increase of 21.3%. Visitors from Taiwan totaled 223,127, with arrivals from the Americas reaching 219,948 and Europe contributing 119,445.
During the first half of 2026, international arrivals reached 10,709,919, representing a 21% rise compared to the same period last year. Foreign tourists spent a total of 10.0389 trillion won on credit cards, a 50.8% increase. In June alone, card spending hit 2.0544 trillion won, up 66.4% year-over-year. The Korea Tourism Organization also reported 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, an increase of 42.5%.
Visitor Growth Boosts Tourism Spending
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism highlighted increased activity from markets beyond Korea’s primary Asian tourism sources. Arrivals from the Americas totaled 1,077,287 in the first half of 2026, up 12.7% from the previous year. European visitor numbers grew by 20.2%, reaching 738,943, while other long-distance markets also saw gains. U.S. visitors numbered 811,974 through June, an 11.1% rise, with Canada contributing 157,003 arrivals, a 17.1% increase.
This June’s positive balance marks a significant turnaround after three consecutive years during which South Korea experienced annual tourism deficits exceeding $10 billion. The deficits amounted to $10.38 billion in 2023, $10.21 billion in 2024, and $10.76 billion in 2025. By June 2026, the monthly tourism balance has been in the black for four straight months. The $596.6 million surplus in June represents South Korea’s largest monthly tourism surplus since the pandemic and the second-highest ever recorded.