South Korea recorded 15,048,435 foreign visitors from January through August 2026, up 21.6% from a year earlier and 31.2% above the comparable 2019 period. August arrivals reached a monthly record of 2,245,293, while foreign card payments in the tourism sector climbed 48.5% to 14.018 trillion won, or about $10 billion. Chinese visitors led demand, followed by travelers from Japan and Taiwan. Easier entry procedures, visa measures, airfare promotions and K-culture marketing supported growth, while regional airports and seaports handled 27.8% of arrivals. Earlier ministry figures showed South Korea's tourism balance returning to deficit in July after four consecutive monthly surpluses.