K-content boom effect? Foreign arrivals to Korea jump 20 percent

BTS fans from around the world receive souvenirs at a welcome booth set up by the Busan Tourism Organization in the international arrivals hall of Gimhae International Airport in Busan, June 10. Yonhap

The number of foreign visitors entering Korea surged by more than 20 percent in the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2025..

According to the Incheon Airport Immigration Office, June 11, a total of 22.13 million people entered Korea between January and May this year, up 11.1 percent from 19.92 million during the same period last year.

The increase was particularly pronounced among foreign visitors. While the number of Korean nationals returning to the country rose 5.5 percent to 13.12 million, foreign arrivals jumped 20.4 percent, climbing from 7.49 million to 9.01 million — an increase of more than 1.52 million people.

Given that total cross-border travel in 2025 reached 98.32 million, already surpassing the pre-pandemic record of 93.54 million set in 2019, officials believe foreign arrivals could reach an all-time high this year.

The immigration authorities noted that the growth was broadly distributed across multiple countries rather than concentrated from a single market. However, arrivals from China and Taiwan posted particularly strong gains.

China and Taiwan ranked first and second, respectively, in year-on-year growth rates among major source markets. They were followed by Japan (20.1 percent), the United States (11.8 percent) and Vietnam (10.7 percent).

China also overtook Japan to become Korea's largest source of foreign visitors. From January through May, arrivals from China totaled 2.69 million, compared with 1.62 million from Japan.

Industry observers attribute the increase to several factors, including the spring travel season, BTS-related events held in March and April, and the continuing global popularity of "K-Pop Demon Hunters."

Foreign arrivals reportedly rose by about 26 percent during BTS-related events held in Seoul's Gwanghwamun area in April.

The weak Korean won has also helped attract more overseas travelers. A higher exchange rate increases the purchasing power of foreign currencies, making travel and spending in Korea relatively cheaper for international visitors.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.