Woman faces prosecution over ticket scalping involving BTS, other concerts

Seoul police have referred a woman in her 30s to prosecutors for allegedly engaging in ticket scalping for popular concerts, including those of BTS, and reselling them at a higher price. The woman's identity remains undisclosed. She was apprehended on August 21 and charged with obstruction of business and violations of laws concerning information networks and public performances.

According to police, she allegedly utilized a macro program to purchase around 2,600 concert tickets from April 2023 to March 2024, using accounts registered under the names of family members and acquaintances. She is also suspected of attempting to resell nine tickets for BTS' Gwanghwamun concert on February 23 but was caught by the police.

The investigation was triggered by intensive monitoring of ticket reservations for the BTS concert in March. The police have also requested the seizure of 442 million won (approximately US$320,000) in criminal proceeds. The revisions to the Public Performance Act and the National Sports Promotion Act, which are set to take effect on Friday, will impose fines of up to 50 times the sales amount on individuals involved in fraudulent ticket sales.