Low penalties under the Minor Offenses Act raise concerns about the seriousness of scalping.
The arrests were made possible through fan reports, with calls for legal reform.
[TV Daily Kim Ji-hyun] Six individuals have been arrested for scalping tickets to G-Dragon's concert.
On December 14, the Guro Police station apprehended these individuals near the Gocheok Sky Dome while they were in the process of trading illegal tickets. One of the individuals, who was about to leave the country, was fined 160,000 won, while the other five were referred for immediate trial.
The current penalties under the Minor Offenses Act are minimal, raising concerns about their effectiveness in deterring crime. The seized tickets amounted to over 200, yet the maximum fine remains under 200,000 won, making it difficult to truly prevent such activities.
Among those apprehended, four were Chinese nationals who had organized and shared ticket sales from nearby karaoke rooms. The arrests were made possible thanks to vigilant fans who reported the situation. A netizen shared photos of the scalpers' activities on social media, which were subsequently passed to the police.
Due to ongoing consumer harm from scalping, the National Assembly has recently deliberated amendments to performance and sports promotion laws, and the police plan to enhance both on-site monitoring and online activities to combat scalping.
G-Dragon holds a unique status in the K-pop industry, and his concerts are always anticipated events. However, issues like ticket scalping threaten to tarnish the experience for many fans. It highlights the community's desire for fair access to tickets at legitimate prices and the vigilant role fans have in monitoring transactions.
The police intervention in this case underscores the importance of fan vigilance in combatting scalping. It illustrates that not only do fans support their favorite artists, but they also hold a power to resist unjust practices against the community. This involvement demonstrates a united front against malpractices in the entertainment industry.
There is significant criticism regarding the effectiveness of current penalties for scalping, indicating the necessity for reform. Government bodies and relevant institutions must actively engage in ongoing discussions to address these pressing issues and consider legislative changes that can effectively deter scalpers in the future.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
