Police Crack Down on Ticket Scalpers at BTS Concert in Busan
During a recent BTS world tour concert in Busan, the police cracked down on scalpers who were taking advantage of foreign tourists. The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a three-day operation at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, where the BTS performance took place, and identified 10 cases involving 11 individuals engaged in ticket scalping. These scalpers were fined 160,000 won each for their illegal activities. The scalpers targeted foreign fans who were not familiar with the local situation, selling tickets at exorbitant prices. One individual was caught selling a ticket worth 220,000 won for 680,000 won to a Chinese woman, more than three times the original price. Additionally, several cases were uncovered where Koreans sold tickets to foreigners at inflated prices ranging from 350,000 won to 550,000 won.
The police also discovered instances where foreigners were involved in scalping activities. A Chinese man in his 20s was apprehended for selling tickets to his fellow citizens, while another Chinese man in his 20s attempted to sell tickets to Filipinos. Furthermore, a Korean man in his 30s was reported by 112 citizens for facilitating ticket scalping transactions between Chinese individuals. These scalpers employed a deceptive tactic of cutting off the entrance wristbands issued for identification and transferring them to others. An official from the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency emphasized that ticket scalping undermines the reputation of K-pop and disrupts the cultural integrity of live performances. The authorities are committed to combating ticket scalping at various events, including concerts and sports games, to uphold fair practices and protect fans from exploitation.