Incheon:Seoul The annual number of foreign visitors to South Korea has surpassed 20 million for the first time this year, marking a significant milestone for the country's tourism industry.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this achievement was reported by the Yonhap News Agency, citing the culture ministry. Kim Dae-hyun, the second vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, was present at Incheon International Airport to welcome the 20 millionth visitor on Thursday.

It took South Korea 14 years to reach this milestone after the number of annual arrivals exceeded 10 million back in 2012. The government attributes this record-breaking number of visitors to several factors, including the global popularity of South Korean pop culture and the nation's hospitality toward foreign tourists.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Chae Hwi-young highlighted that this milestone serves as a "starting point" for South Korea's ambition to become an "irreplaceable tourism powerhouse." He stated, "The government will build the capacity to annually attract 30 million foreign visitors and usher in an era of 40 million visitors."