10.71 million visitors in the first half — Korea nears its first 20-million year

Foreign arrivals to Korea passed 10.71 million in the first half of this year. The first quarter alone drew about 4.75 million, a record, and the 10-million mark came roughly a month earlier than last year.

China and Japan accounted for the largest shares, and foreign card spending in the first half topped 10 trillion won, up more than 50 percent from a year earlier.

At this pace, the first-ever 20-million-visitor year is within reach. More people coming means more meetings are needed, too.