KRSeoul's royal palaces saw an increase in visitor numbers in 2025, rising to approximately 15 million from 13.1 million in 2024. However, admissions revenue decreased slightly, from about 11.6 billion won to 11.4 billion won, due to a significant rise in free admissions. According to the Korea Heritage Service, the number of visitors entering for free increased from 8.2 million to 10.3 million, representing 68.9% of total visitors in 2025. This trend was driven by expanded free admission policies, including 53 free days in 2025 compared to 14 in 2022, along with special promotions like the Korea Grand Festival and eligibility for free entry for those in traditional hanbok attire and individuals aged 65 and older. The service is now evaluating ways to balance public access with the financial needs of preserving these cultural landmarks.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data on changes in visitor numbers and revenue for Seoul's royal palaces, focusing on the impact of free admission policies. It does not exhibit clear ideological bias, as it reports on policy effects without overtly favoring any political stance or using emotionally-chr
