July a record-breaking month for foreign tourists in Korea

A record number foreign tourists visited Korea in July. / Korea Times File

By Lee Jin-a

More than 1.7 million foreigners visited Korea in July, a record for one month.

According to the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday, about 1.72 million foreigners visited Korea in July, 10 percent more than the previous month.

Chinese tourists – 54 percent of the total -- who visited during the holiday season were a driving force behind the record. This was a 20 percent increase on June.

Despite worries that Korea’s decision to deploy an anti-missile battery on the peninsula might affect Chinese tourists, it did not stop them coming. During the five weeks from July 8, when the announcement was made, to Aug 10, more than a million Chinese visited Korea, 16 percent higher than the previous five weeks.

But the Herald Economic Daily reported Wednesday that it is too early to be optimistic. According to the report, citing some experts, travelers usually make ticket reservations two to three months before their visit, therefore the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery deployment decision would affect visits from September.

According to the report, only 300 Chinese tourists have made reservations this year for a ferry that crosses between China and Incheon harbor. The number was 10 percent of last year’s figure. And 80 percent of Chinese participants for a cultural exchange event between China and Korea in August suddenly refused to attend.