The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced this week the arrest of a woman accused of using automated software to purchase and resell approximately 2,600 tickets to popular events, including K-pop concerts. Authorities reported the suspect generated profits of around 400 million won (approximately $319,000) from the resale operation.
According to a statement from the police, the suspect, reported to be in her 20s, allegedly used a macro program to bypass purchasing limits and secure large quantities of tickets from official vendor websites. The software automates the ticket-buying process, enabling it to complete transactions faster than human users. The tickets were then resold online at significantly increased prices.
The police investigation found that the alleged activity spanned multiple high-demand events, including concerts for prominent K-pop artists and sporting events. The use of such automated programs has been a point of contention for fans and event organizers, who report that it makes acquiring tickets at face value exceedingly difficult.
This arrest is among the first major cases to be prosecuted under South Korea’s recently revised Public Performance Act. The amendment, which took effect in March 2024, specifically criminalizes the use of automated software for the purpose of reselling tickets for profit. The law was enacted to address the growing scale of online ticket scalping. Under the revised act, individuals convicted of using macro programs for such purposes can face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won (approximately $7,250).
Prior to the legal amendment, prosecuting ticket scalping was often handled under minor offense laws, which carried less severe penalties. The new legislation provides law enforcement with a more direct legal framework for targeting and prosecuting individuals and groups involved in large-scale, automated ticket acquisition.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has stated that its cyber investigation unit is continuing to monitor online ticket sales platforms for similar illegal activities. The case involving the arrested suspect has been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for further legal proceedings.
