Foreign cruise visitors to Korea top 200,000 in May

July 05, 2026

Reported by AI

The number of foreign visitors arriving in South Korea by cruise ship reached 206,542 in May, the first time the monthly total has exceeded 200,000, official data showed.

This figure rose 13.4 percent from the previous month and 12.2 percent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. Monthly arrivals have increased steadily since December, rising from 56,000 to 57,000 in January and 112,000 in February.

Cumulative arrivals for the first five months totaled 709,000, up 5.9 percent from the same period in 2025. Seogwipo on Jeju Island recorded the highest arrivals with 84,000, followed by Busan with 78,000.

Illustration of South Korean exports surging with semiconductor shipments at a port.

South Korea exports surge 60.4 percent in early June

June 21, 2026 Reported by AI Image generated by AI

South Korea's exports jumped 60.4 percent in the first 20 days of June from a year earlier. Robust semiconductor shipments drove the figure to a record high.

South Korea exports rise 43.7 percent in early May

South Korea's exports jumped 43.7 percent from a year earlier in the first 10 days of May. Data from the Korea Customs Service showed outbound shipments reached 18.4 billion dollars.

Japan visitor numbers fall 3.6 percent in May

June 17, 2026 Reported by AI

Total visitors to Japan declined 3.6 percent in May even as arrivals from South Korea, Taiwan and the United States reached record levels for the month.

Asia