South Korean government considers raising palace and tomb entry fees for first time in 20 years
Officials say the government may lift admission prices at major palaces and royal tombs next year, ending a two-decade freeze.
The government is weighing an increase in entry charges for the country's key palaces and royal tombs, a change not seen since 2005. Adult tickets now range from 500 won for some tombs to 3,000 won for Gyeongbok and Changdeok Palaces, while Jongmyo Shrine and other sites charge 1,000 won. Experts cite the Big Mac index to show South Korean fees are far below those of Versailles or Nijo Castle.
In 2025, 17.81 million visitors attended the sites, but 69 percent entered through free-admission programs, and revenue fell 4.1 percent compared with the previous year. Survey results from the Korea Heritage Service indicated that many respondents would accept fees roughly three times current levels, though some favor gradual increases. The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center will consider various viewpoints before any decision is made.
Why it matters
Higher fees could boost funding for preserving and enhancing South Korea's historic sites.
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