SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea achieved a tourism surplus of $596.6 million in June 2026, marking its most significant monthly result since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This figure represents an increase of approximately $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the country experienced an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization indicated that June’s surplus was the second-highest monthly figure on record, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
This June result signifies the fourth straight month of positive tourism balance for South Korea. From March 2020 through February 2026, the country faced deficits for 72 consecutive months. In January, the deficit was $1.4034 billion, followed by a shortfall of $1.0993 billion in February. The balance turned positive again in March with $263.8 million, then remained in surplus at $159.9 million in April and $220.5 million in May.
Tourism earnings reached $2.784 billion in June, while South Korean residents’ overseas spending totaled $2.1874 billion. On average, foreign visitors spent $1,397 each during the month, whereas outbound Korean travelers spent an average of $1,091. The difference between inbound tourism revenue and outbound expenses resulted in the $596.6 million surplus, the largest positive monthly balance in over 17 years.
Growth in International Visitors Seen Across Key Markets
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international visitors, reflecting a 23.1% increase from the same month in 2025. The largest source market was China, which contributed 649,582 visitors, maintaining its position as the top inbound destination for the country. Arrivals from China surged 36.2% compared to the previous year. Japan followed with 348,216 visitors, up 21.3%, while Taiwan brought in 223,127 visitors. Additionally, the Americas accounted for 219,948 visitors, and European arrivals totaled 119,445 for the month.
Overall, international arrivals for the first half of 2026 reached 10,709,919, representing a 21% rise year-on-year. Credit card expenditures by foreign tourists during this period amounted to 10.0389 trillion won, increasing by 50.8% from the same period in 2025. June alone saw card spending of 2.0544 trillion won, a 66.4% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the Korea Tourism Organization reported 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, up 42.5%.
Tourism Income Gains as Visitor Numbers Grow
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism noted strong performance from several long-haul markets during the first half of the year. Arrivals from the Americas reached 1,077,287, an increase of 12.7% from the previous year. European visitors numbered 738,943, marking a 20.2% rise over the same period. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors, up 11.1%, while Canada added 157,003 arrivals, an increase of 17.1% compared with the first six months of 2025.
The recent monthly tourism surplus signals a significant turnaround after three years of annual deficits exceeding $10 billion. In 2023, the deficit was $10.38 billion, followed by $10.21 billion in 2024, and a total shortfall of $10.76 billion was recorded in 2025. By June 2026, however, the monthly balance had been positive for four consecutive months. June’s receipts surpassed outbound spending by $596.6 million, making it the largest monthly surplus since the pandemic and the second-highest on record ever.