South Korea ranks second in global passport power; US drops to 10th

South Korea has maintained its strong position in global passport rankings, securing the second spot worldwide. The latest 'Henley Passport Index 20th Anniversary Report,' released by the global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, indicates that South Korean passport holders can travel to 188 countries without a prior visa or by obtaining a visa upon arrival.

Japan shares the second-place ranking with South Korea, highlighting the strong international mobility afforded to citizens of both East Asian nations. This ranking reflects the ease with which passport holders can navigate international travel, based on the number of destinations accessible without requiring a visa in advance.

In a notable shift, the United States has fallen significantly in the rankings. After holding the top position for two decades, the U.S. passport is now ranked tenth. This marks the first time in 20 years that the U.S. has not been at the forefront of passport power, indicating a change in its global travel accessibility compared to other leading nations.