South Korea's Culture Ministry Sets Goal of 40 Million Annual Foreign Visitors

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced a new long term goal to attract 40 million foreign visitors annually during a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday. This target exceeds the previous goal of 30 million visitors by 2028. The ministry expects to welcome 23 million visitors this year, with one report noting a 21 percent increase in arrivals during the first half of 2026.

To achieve these targets, the ministry plans to improve airport, port, and lodging infrastructure while easing visa and entry rules. Efforts to draw tourists away from the capital include developing regional tourism products and creating a golden route linking five regional airports. The ministry also intends to leverage content tourism by marketing sites tied to K pop and K dramas. Additionally, the ministry is exploring the construction of a multipurpose domed arena for sports and concerts, though officials noted that a feasibility study is still narrowing down candidate sites.

Beyond tourism, the ministry aims to establish Korean culture as a national growth engine. Plans include expanding financial support for content industries through loans and funds, integrating artificial intelligence into production, and training 18,000 industry professionals by 2030. The ministry also intends to improve conditions for artists by expanding access to social insurance and exploring a possible artist basic income.

While both reports cover the same policy briefing, they emphasize different priorities. The center leaning report frames the plan as a broad strategy to make the country a cultural powerhouse and revitalize regions. In contrast, the center right leaning report focuses more on the specific logistics of tourism management, such as tightening oversight of travel agencies to prevent visa violations and the development of high margin travel packages.