 |
Photo: HYBE |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Minyoung] South Korean resale platforms are ramping up enforcement measures amid growing concerns over ticket scalping ahead of BTS’s highly anticipated comeback concert, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring systems and dedicated personnel to block illegal transactions.
According to industry sources on March 17, major secondhand trading platforms have stepped up efforts to prevent scalping after receiving a government notice urging stronger action against illegal BTS ticket resales.
A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, “We have requested cooperation from resale platforms to strengthen measures against BTS ticket scalping.”
In response, local community-based platform Karrot (Danggeun) has activated real-time monitoring using AI-powered automated reporting systems. It is also applying machine learning-based detection systems that analyze transaction patterns to block professional resellers using automated tools such as macros.
Bunjang has elevated “BTS concert” to a top monitoring priority and designated related keywords as restricted search terms. The platform is also operating an AI-based abnormal transaction detection system, enabling immediate removal of posts when suspicious patterns are identified.
Naver’s resale platform N Flea Market maintains a policy prohibiting the sale of event tickets. Accordingly, BTS concert tickets are also banned, and attempts to bypass restrictions are filtered through AI-based keyword monitoring.
The intensified response comes as the government strengthens efforts to curb ticket scalping. On March 5, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched a public-private consultative body on preventing ticket scalping in concerts and sports events, in collaboration with the Fair Trade Commission and the National Police Agency.
Minister Choi Hwi-young said the upcoming BTS concert would serve as a key test case for anti-scalping measures and called for a strong response.
Despite the crackdown, some illegal transactions have reportedly slipped through monitoring systems.
According to the ministry, as of March 11, about 1,800 posts related to ticket scalping had been identified, with police investigations already underway into 105 tickets suspected of being involved in illegal transactions.
알파경제 Kim Minyoung Reporter(kimmy@alphabiz.co.kr)
