South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has officially requested a police investigation into suspected black-market ticket sales connected to upcoming concerts by BTS.
According to the ministry on March 11, authorities identified four individuals suspected of illegally reselling concert tickets for the highly anticipated events scheduled at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 and at Goyang Sports Complex from April 9 to April 12.
Officials revealed that they had been closely monitoring online ticket trading platforms where unofficial resale activity often occurs. During the investigation, authorities recorded 1,868 posts related to black-market ticket sales, including duplicated listings.
From this data, four cases were identified as particularly suspicious. The individuals involved allegedly purchased 105 tickets in bulk and attempted to resell them at prices far above the official listing price. Some listings reportedly inflated ticket prices by millions of won, exploiting the enormous demand surrounding BTS’s return to the concert stage.
The ministry emphasized that the official ticketing system for the concerts uses strict identity verification procedures. Attendees must present personal identification that matches the registered information on the ticket when entering the venue.
Because of this system, fans who purchase tickets through unofficial resale channels may ultimately be denied entry, even if they possess a valid ticket. Authorities therefore warned fans to avoid black-market purchases and only use official ticket platforms.
Officials also warned that illegal resale attempts may spike again around 8 p.m. on March 12, when an additional round of ticket sales for the Gwanghwamun concert opens. Such high-demand moments are often exploited by scalpers looking to resell tickets or conduct scams.
The ministry has called on concert organizers, ticketing agencies, and online platforms to strengthen monitoring systems and cooperate in cracking down on illegal ticket trading.
Minister Choi Hui Young stated that the investigation marks the beginning of a broader effort to eliminate the black-market ticket trade.
“Starting with this investigation request, we will implement stronger and stricter measures to completely eradicate illegal ticket resale and create a fair and transparent concert environment,” he said.
Authorities also warned that fans buying tickets from unofficial sources risk not only losing entry to the event but also falling victim to fraud, as some sellers disappear after receiving payment.
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