South Korea's camper and caravan market collapses after pandemic

South Korea's camper and caravan market is in sharp decline due to affordable Kia PBV electric vehicles. Industry data shows prices for most campers have halved, and new motorhome sales dropped 75% in three years. The PV5 model, with standard electrical equipment and air conditioning for 2,000 won per night, costs about 25 million won, compared to 70–80 million won for traditional motorhomes. Camper user numbers fell 13.9% year-on-year, and the market shrank 11.8%.

New registrations of campers and travel trailers in South Korea dropped sharply in 2023. According to CarChart AI data, only 1,361 units are expected in 2025, an 81.4% decline from the 2021 peak. The market, which boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022, average 6,311 units per year), entered a downturn from 2023. In 2025, 543 travel trailers (down 87.2% from 2021) and 818 campers (down 73.2%) were registered. Campers first outnumbered trailers in 2022. The average purchase price of a camper in 2022 was about 7.35 million won. The campsite market is also struggling: new openings fell from 547 in 2022 to 367 in 2025, with about 60 closures annually. Electric campers based on Kia PV5 and Hyundai ST1 platforms are expected in 2026.

According to CarChart, South Korea saw 7,300 new camper and caravan registrations in 2021, with a market value of 347.2 billion won. By 2025, registrations dropped to 1,361 units (down 81.4%), and market value fell to 76.4 billion won (down 78%). In the first half of 2026, only 397 units were registered (123 caravans and 274 campers). Caravans were hit hardest, with registrations down 87.2% from 2021.

Gangneung City (South Korea) is conducting intensive crackdowns from July 27 to August 31 against illegal waste dumping in popular camper parking areas, beaches, and tourist zones. Violators face fines under waste management law.

In Pohang, South Korea, dozens of campers and caravans occupy free public parking along the Hyeongsan River and coast, reducing spaces for regular cars. Authorities struggle to enforce rules, but a law amendment effective August 28 allows towing and fines up to 1 million won.

South Korean cities turn unregulated camping into a tourism asset. Examples: free RV parking in Namwon, Pyeonghwanuri camping in Paju, and paid overnight parking by Lawson in Japan.