South Korea expects up to 200,000 Japanese, Chinese tourists in May

South Korea is bracing for up to 200,000 tourists from Japan and China in early May, as Japan's Golden Week and China's Labor Day holiday overlap in a peak spring travel window, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism projected, according to the Korea Times.

The convergence of two of Asia's largest national holidays into the same calendar window creates one of the year's biggest inbound tourism surges for South Korea, with data from the ministry pointing to a robust spring season for the country's travel sector.

Between 80,000 and 90,000 Japanese tourists are expected to arrive in South Korea during Golden Week, which runs April 29 through May 6, the Korea Times reported, citing Yonhap and ministry data. The figure reflects one of the country's most consistent annual tourism peaks from its closest island neighbor.

Chinese visitors are projected to outnumber Japanese arrivals, with the ministry forecasting 100,000 to 110,000 travelers from China during that country's Labor Day holiday, which spans May 1 through May 5, according to the Korea Times.

Tourists were already arriving at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul's Jongno district ahead of the holiday rush, the Korea Times noted. The Joseon-era palace is one of South Korea's most visited landmarks and a primary draw for visitors from across East Asia.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism released the holiday-period projections in advance of the travel surge. The combined Japanese and Chinese forecast points to as many as 200,000 visitors from the two countries over roughly the same week, underscoring how their national calendars have reshaped South Korea's spring tourism patterns.

The Korea Times published the ministry's projections on April 30, citing data from Yonhap.