South Korea Travel News

US-bound passengers departing Incheon Airport must now sign an Ebola declaration form confirming no travel to the DRC in the past 21 days.

South Korea's SUNEUNG exam is on 19 November 2026. Incheon arrivals face a morning no-fly window and traffic across Seoul slows for most of the day.

Busan's subway ran normally on 23 October after a last-minute deal averted a threatened strike. Union ratification vote still pending.

T'way Air moves Sydney-Seoul (Incheon) from 3 weekly to daily from 25 October 2026, running through to 27 March 2027. Incheon arrival tips.

Andong International Mask Dance Festival returns late September 2027. Talchum performances, Hahoe Village, and international teams from 20-plus countries.

Korean Air reinstates four-times-weekly Incheon–Oita service from 25 October through March 2027, reopening direct access to Kyushu's onsen region.

Seoul's new Firefly Bus launches in October 2026, linking Hongdae, Gwanghwamun, DDP, Myeongdong and Gangnam for late-night travel between tourist hubs.

Naejangsan's maple tunnel peaks late October to early November 2026. KTX from Seoul to Jeongeup takes 1h 50min. Entry costs 3,000 KRW for adults.

Seoul Lantern Festival 2026-27 is expected from mid-December at Cheonggyecheon Stream, not October. Free entry; check dates, route and tips.

South Korea leads Asia travel growth as Hallyu wellness tourism draws record visitors for K-beauty, temple stays, and drama filming location tours.

South Korea launches a K-Drama tourism trail at HiKR Ground in Seoul, linking filming locations with a Studio Dragon exhibition until November 2026.

South Korea suspended the K-ETA entry system on 8–9 October due to a declared disaster situation. All foreigners must report entry before arriving.

The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Lantern Festival runs until 18 October 2026 on the Nam River. What to see and how to get there from Busan or Seoul.

Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival 2027 floats thousands of lanterns on the Nam River in October. Dates, tickets, transport from Busan and Seoul covered.

Seoul Lantern Festival 2027-28 is expected from mid-December at Cheonggyecheon Stream. Dates are unconfirmed; free illuminated installations.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival runs 6–15 October 2026. Asia's biggest film event draws 315 films from 59 countries to Haeundae Beach.

South Korea has welcomed 15.05 million foreign visitors through August 2026, putting the country on pace for its best-ever annual tourism total.

Peach Aviation launched a daily Seoul Incheon–Tokyo Narita service from 20 September 2026, adding a low-cost option on this popular corridor.

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. How to get there.

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 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 first-half record: 10.7 million visitors, on pace for 22 million for the 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. Met Office guidance issued 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, live performances and visit tips.

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.

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. Seoul and Busan lead the fan-driven travel boom this year.

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.