S. Korea's duty-free sales exceeds W5 trillion for 1st time

Sales at Korea's duty-free shops surpassed W5 trillion for the first time in the first half of this year largely thanks to increasing foreign visitor numbers.

The Korea Customs Service said on Monday that duty-free sales stood at W5.77 trillion in the first six months, up 20.1 percent from the same period of last year.

Local customers accounted for 57.1 percent of total shoppers, but their individual spending was $103 on average, only a third of what each foreign visitor spent ($345).

The number of foreign visitors to Korea rose 21 percent on-year to 8.1 million in the first half.

(THE CHOSUNILBO)