South Korea Travel News

South Korea's KTX and SRT merged on September 1, 2026. Fares cut ~10%, and the KORAIL+ app now books all high-speed trains in seven languages.

Seoul's Jamsugyo Bridge closes to traffic every Sunday until 25 October for a free festival of food, media art and live performances.

Busan's Dadaepo Beach hosts Night Festa events through September with outdoor concerts and light shows. The Music Festival runs until 22 September.

The 30th Andong International Mask Dance Festival runs 24 Sept–4 Oct 2026, with 28 teams from 24 countries at venues across Andong and Hahoe Village.

The world's first island-themed expo runs in Yeosu 5 September – 4 November 2026. Eight pavilions, air mobility demos and 3 million visitors expected.

Chuseok falls on 24–26 September 2026. Train tickets fill fast, many businesses close, and tourist sites go quiet. Here's what to know before you travel.

Seoul drew 1.61 million foreign tourists in July 2026 - a new all-time monthly record - with visitor spending up 69.7% year-on-year to over 1 trillion won.

Korean Air resumes Seoul–Melbourne nonstop from December 18, 2026: three times weekly on a Boeing 787-9, the first direct service since 2013.

The Yeongdeok National Heritage Night Festival runs 21–23 August at Changsu Castle with illuminated heritage tours, cultural performances, and night markets.

South Korea's anti-price-gouging rules, in force from 4 August 2026, let authorities suspend accommodation businesses caught overcharging tourists.

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines merge on December 17, 2026. Asiana exits Star Alliance on December 16. Here's what changes for your bookings and miles.

United Airlines starts nonstop Newark to Seoul Incheon flights from 4 September 2026, adding a second daily US East Coast option for South Korea.

South Korea hit a new H1 record: 10.7 million visitors in 2026, on pace for 22 million full-year, driven by K-culture and medical tourism.

Aero K suspends its Hualien-Incheon route from end of July 2026 due to rising fuel costs, with resumption planned via Cheongju airport.

Flash flooding struck Seoul on July 18, 2026, disrupting subways and inundating low-lying districts. The Met Office has issued guidance for late July arrivals.

South Korea launched the F-1-D digital nomad visa in June 2026 for remote workers at overseas companies to live legally in Korea for up to one year.

South Korea suspended its express visa service at the Shanghai consulate from 20 July 2026. Applicants must now use standard processing time.

Seoul Garden Show now offers evening programs at Seoul Forest through August, featuring free outdoor cinema and live performances.

Hangang Summer Festival Seoul 2026 runs 26 July to 24 August with 18 activities: Cinema Splash, Liberation Day ship race, and night swimming.

The Boryeong Mud Festival returns to Daecheon Beach from 24 July to 9 August 2026, with mud slides, pools, concerts and nightly fireworks.

Super Typhoon Bavi and peak monsoon season caused 44 cancellations and 416 delays across Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju airports on 8 to 9 July 2026.

WATERBOMB Seoul 2026 runs July 24 to 26 at KINTEX Ilsan with DIPLO, ZICO, KARINA and more. K-pop, EDM, and open-air water gun battles across three days.

South Korea has extended the K-ETA exemption for 67 eligible nationalities until December 31, 2026. From January 2027, the ETA becomes mandatory.

Jeju Air, Jin Air, and Korean Air are cutting regional flights from South Korea due to soaring fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict in 2026.

South Korea's Gangneung Danoje UNESCO festival peaked 18 to 20 June 2026 in Gangwon Province with shamanic rites, mask dances, and folk games.

With all BTS members back from military service, South Korea is seeing a K-pop tourism surge in 2026. Seoul and Busan lead the fan-driven travel boom.

The Busan One Asia Festival marked its 10th anniversary with a Big Concert on 27 to 28 June 2026. The 11th edition is expected in late June 2027.

South Korea's digital e-Arrival Card is now mandatory for all foreign visitors, replacing paper forms. Complete it online within 3 days before arrival.

South Korea and China have agreed to raise weekly passenger flights from 608 to 664 - the first expansion in bilateral flight rights in seven years.

Jeju Purple Week 2026 ran 5 to 20 June with stamp trails, cultural workshops, and Hallyu rewards. The 2027 edition is expected in a similar format.

New direct routes from Taipei and Taichung to Busan launched on 1 June 2026, expanding the city's growing international flight network for summer 2026.

From 28 May 2026, Indonesian citizens in groups of three or more can enter South Korea visa-free, targeting growing K-culture tourism.