Korea enacts tough new rules to crack down on ticket scalping

Korea has introduced stringent enforcement measures to combat ticket scalping and ensure equitable access to live events and sports games nationwide. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism announced on Friday that these new regulations officially came into effect, after receiving final approval from the Cabinet on August 18. The significant reforms build upon the revised Performance Act and National Sports Promotion Act, which were approved by the National Assembly in February.

These updated legal provisions prohibit all forms of fraudulent ticket purchases and unauthorized resale activities. A key aspect of the new framework is its universal application, which eliminates a previous legal loophole that allowed scalpers to escape penalties by using automated software to quickly snatch up digital tickets before ordinary buyers could access them.

Under the revised rules, both primary ticket sellers and secondhand resale platforms are mandated to implement stringent compliance procedures. They must now verify the identities of users, maintain active reporting features, and impose restrictions on unauthorized reselling.