SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea reported a tourism surplus of $596.6 million in June 2026, marking its strongest monthly performance since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The 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-largest on record, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
This June figure signifies South Korea’s fourth consecutive month of positive tourism balance. The nation had endured deficits for 72 straight months from March 2020 through February 2026. Specifically, January showed a deficit of $1.4034 billion, followed by a shortfall of $1.0993 billion in February. The balance turned positive again in March with a surplus of $263.8 million and remained in the black with $159.9 million in April and $220.5 million in May.
Tourism revenue reached $2.784 billion in June, while outbound spending by South Korean travelers totaled $2.1874 billion. During the month, foreign visitors spent an average of $1,397 each, whereas outbound Korean tourists spent an average of $1,091. The difference between inbound tourism income and outbound expenditure led to the $596.6 million surplus—its widest positive monthly balance in over 17 years.
Growth in International Tourist Arrivals Across Key Markets
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international visitors, reflecting a 23.1% increase compared to the same month in 2025. China remained the largest source market with 649,582 visitors, marking a 36.2% rise from the previous year. Japan followed with 348,216 visitors, up 21.3%, while Taiwan contributed 223,127 arrivals. Visitors from the Americas totaled 219,948, and European visitors numbered 119,445 in June.
The total international arrivals for the first half of 2026 reached 10,709,919, representing a 21% growth year-over-year. During this period, foreign tourist credit card spending amounted to 10.0389 trillion won, an increase of 50.8% compared to the first six months of 2025. June alone saw card spending hit 2.0544 trillion won, a 66.4% rise from the same month last year. Additionally, regional airports recorded 395,246 international arrivals in June, which is 42.5% higher than the previous year.
Tourism Income Gains with Increasing Arrivals
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported growth from several long-haul markets during the first half of 2026. Arrivals from the Americas reached 1,077,287, a 12.7% increase from the same period last year. European visitors grew by 20.2%, totaling 738,943. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors, up 11.1%, while Canada added 157,003 arrivals, a 17.1% rise compared to the first half of 2025.
This latest monthly surplus follows three years of annual tourism deficits exceeding $10 billion. In 2023, deficits reached $10.38 billion, followed by $10.21 billion in 2024, and a shortfall of $10.76 billion in 2025. However, by June 2026, South Korea experienced four consecutive months of positive monthly balances. The June tourism receipts surpassed outbound tourism expenditures by $596.6 million, marking the largest monthly surplus since the pandemic and the second-highest ever recorded.