Gov't weighs raising admission fees to palaces, royal tombs for 1st time in 20 years

The South Korean government is considering raising admission fees at the nation's most significant palaces and royal tombs for the first time in two decades, according to officials. This potential change would mark a shift from the existing pricing structure, which has remained constant since 2005, with adult admission to palaces like Gyeongbok and Changdeok costing 3,000 won (US$2.20), and royal tombs ranging from 500 won to 2,000 won. Joseon-era royal tombs date back to the Joseon dynasty, which ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910.

Experts argue that the current fees are low by international standards, citing the Big Mac index as a reference point. According to this benchmark, the admission fees for Gyeongbok and Changdeok palaces would cost about half a Big Mac, while France's Versailles would cost nine Big Macs and Japan's Nijo Castle would amount to roughly 1.2 Big Macs.

Furthermore, visitor behavior and revenue trends have changed, with about 17.81 million visitors to the four major palaces, Jongmyo, and royal tombs in 2025. Of these visitors, roughly 69 percent accessed the sites through free admission programs.

Despite a 12.9 percent increase in overall visitors from 2024, paid visitor numbers declined by 5.2 percent, leading to a 4.1 percent reduction in revenue from admission fees. Recent visitors are seeking more interactive, participatory experiences to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the historical sites. Kim Jae-kyu, head of the private National Heritage Planning and Evaluation Institute, suggested that a reasonable fee increase is needed to ensure the sustainable preservation and utilization of these national treasures.

The Korea Heritage Service recently released survey results indicating that the average appropriate fees should be 9,203 won for palaces and 7,196 won for royal tombs and Jongmyo, more than triple the current range of 1,000-3,000 won. Some participants at a recent forum proposed phased increases instead of a single large hike.