▲ An undated file photo of Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, July 16 (Yonhap) -- The number of visitors to South Korea's royal palaces and the Jongmyo royal shrine increased in the first half of the year as interest in traditional Korean culture continued to grow, government data showed Thursday.

 

According to the Korea Heritage Service's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, the four major palaces -- Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong and Deoksu -- along with Jongmyo drew a combined 7,410,945 visitors from January to June, according to preliminary figures.

 

The total represents a 6.6 percent increase from 6,949,465 visitors during the same period last year.

 

Visitor numbers had declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but have risen steadily since 2023, when the sites attracted 5,345,218 visitors, followed by 6,557,307 in 2024 and 6,949,465 in 2025.

 

Among the palaces, Gyeongbok Palace was the most visited with 3,645,418 visitors, up 10.7 percent from 3,294,514 a year earlier.

 

The Gwanghwamun area in front of Gyeongbok Palace also drew significant attention after BTS held a comeback concert there in late March.

 

Deoksu Palace recorded 1,751,869 visitors, followed by Changdeok Palace with 1,053,301 and Changgyeong Palace with 610,841.

 

Jongmyo, which normally operates on a reservation system, welcomed 349,516 visitors.

 

All five sites saw their highest visitor numbers in April and May.

 

Gyeongbok Palace alone attracted 1,666,881 visitors during those two months, likely boosted by spring tourism and the annual "Royal Culture Festival" held from April 25 to May 3.

 

Jongmyo saw a particularly sharp contrast between May, when it drew 108,301 visitors, and June, when the number fell to 39,673.

 

Foreign visitors accounted for 2,267,964 of the total, or 30.6 percent.

 

Most foreign tourists visited Gyeongbok Palace, which drew 1,631,295 overseas visitors, while Changgyeong Palace and Jongmyo attracted relatively fewer foreigners with 91,998 and 40,308 visitors, respectively.

 

The growing popularity of traditional culture, often described as the foundation of K-culture, has also been reflected in other areas.

 

Last year, the four palaces, Jongmyo and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty drew a combined 17,814,848 visitors, the highest figure since visitor statistics began.

 

Sales of "K-Heritage" merchandise, a cultural goods brand based on national heritage motifs and artwork, have also surpassed 9 billion won (US$6.5 million) this year and are expected to set a new record.

 

To mark the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will be held in Busan from July 19 to 29, the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center is offering free admission to major World Heritage sites, including Changdeok Palace, Jongmyo and the Joseon royal tombs.

 

The sites will remain free through Saturday.

 

Jongmyo, which usually allows entry only during designated time slots, will permit unrestricted visits through August. The Secret Garden at Changdeok Palace, however, will continue to require reservations and paid admission.

 

The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency will also introduce royal culture in Busan during the UNESCO event.

 

From July 20 to 29, royal guards from Gyeongbok Palace will welcome participants from around the world twice daily at BEXCO's Exhibition Hall 1, and a reenactment of a Joseon-era royal procession titled "A Walk of the Royal Family" is also planned.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]