SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea posted a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, marking its most robust monthly figure since the COVID-19 crisis. This amount reflects a $1.44 billion improvement compared to June 2025, when the country experienced an $846.8 million deficit. According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, June’s surplus ranks as the second-highest monthly record ever, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
The tourism account had been in deficit for 72 straight months from March 2020 through February 2026. In January, the shortfall was $1.4034 billion, followed by a $1.0993 billion deficit in February. The balance shifted to positive in March with a surplus of $263.8 million, and continued to improve in April at $159.9 million and May at $220.5 million, signaling a steady recovery into June.
In June, tourism revenue reached $2.784 billion, while expenses totaled $2.1874 billion. Foreign visitors spent an average of $1,397 per person during the month. Meanwhile, South Korean outbound travelers spent an average of $1,091 each. The disparity between tourism income and outlays resulted in a fourth consecutive monthly surplus, a significant turnaround from the deficits seen earlier in 2026.
Visitor numbers surge sharply in June
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international tourists in June, a 23.1% increase from the same period last year. China remained the top source market with 649,582 visitors, up 36.2% from June 2025. Japan followed with 348,216 arrivals, an increase of 21.3%. Taiwan accounted for 223,127 visitors, while arrivals from the Americas reached 219,948 and Europe contributed 119,445.
During the first half of 2026, international arrivals totaled 10,709,919, a 21% rise compared to the previous year. Foreign tourist credit card spending amounted to 10.0389 trillion won, growing by 50.8%. In June alone, card expenditures hit 2.0544 trillion won, reflecting a 66.4% increase year-over-year. The Korea Tourism Organization also recorded 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, representing a 42.5% growth.
Tourism expenditure grows alongside increasing visitor numbers
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also noted expansion in markets outside Korea’s primary Asian visitor sources. Arrivals from the Americas numbered 1,077,287 in the first half, up 12.7% from last year. European visitors increased by 20.2% to 738,943, with other long-haul markets also posting gains. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors through June, up 11.1%, while Canada brought in 157,003, an increase of 17.1%.
This June surplus follows three consecutive years of annual tourism deficits exceeding $10 billion. The deficits reached $10.38 billion in 2023, $10.21 billion in 2024, and $10.76 billion in 2025. By June 2026, the monthly tourism account had been in positive territory for four straight months. June’s receipts surpassed expenditures by $596.6 million, marking South Korea’s largest monthly tourism surplus since the pandemic and its second-largest on record.