Secondhand trading platforms have intensified enforcement measures amid growing concerns over ticket scalping ahead of BTS's comeback concert. The platforms are strengthening AI-based monitoring and deploying dedicated personnel to block illegal transactions.
According to the retail industry on the 18th, secondhand trading platforms that recently received a notice from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism regarding "enhanced BTS ticket scalping eradication" are making all-out efforts to block scalping transactions at the source. A ministry official said, "We requested cooperation from secondhand trading platforms to eradicate BTS-related ticket scalping."
In response, Karrot, a local community-based platform, has activated real-time self-monitoring using AI-based automatic reporting functions. The platform is applying a machine learning-based detection system that learns trading patterns to block activities by professional sellers using macros and similar tools.
Bungaejangter has elevated "BTS concert" to a monitoring priority and designated related keywords as restricted search terms. The platform blocks search result exposure for variant keywords through intensive monitoring systems and has activated an AI-based abnormal transaction detection system. This enables immediate blocking of posts when patterns above certain thresholds are detected.
Bungaejangter also operates "Fast Track," a real-time reporting channel. When scalping activity is reported, professional monitoring agents immediately intervene to block and sanction problematic accounts, enhancing real-time response capabilities.
Naver's secondhand trading platform N Flea Market maintains a policy of not handling concert tickets as tradable items. BTS concert tickets are similarly blocked, and circumventing posts are additionally filtered through AI-based keyword monitoring.
The platforms' all-out response comes as the government has rolled up its sleeves to eradicate ticket scalping. On the 5th of this month, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched a "Public-Private Council for Prevention of Concert and Sports Ticket Scalping" together with the Fair Trade Commission and the National Police Agency. Minister Choi Hwi-young said, "This BTS concert will be an important test for our response to ticket scalping," ordering a high-intensity response.
Despite the massive crackdown by the government and industry, some scalped tickets have reportedly slipped through the surveillance net and been traded. According to the ministry, approximately 1,800 scalping-related posts were detected as of the 11th of this month, and police investigations are already underway for 105 tickets showing strong evidence of illegal transactions.
A ministry official said, "We are communicating regularly with relevant agencies and sharing monitoring status," adding, "We plan to continue strengthening ticket scalping surveillance based on this cooperative framework."
