*This content was translated by AI.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Choi Hwi-young) announced on the 1st that it has asked the police to investigate 186 posts of suspected high-value and large-scale ticket sales based on the results of reporting and monitoring of ticket sales in professional baseball to cope with the increasing number of ticket sales with the opening of 2026.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said, "As a result of reporting and monitoring of ticket sales in professional baseball from February to March 2026, about 16,000 cases have been confirmed," adding, "In particular, many organizational transactions have been confirmed, including up to 13 times more expensive transactions than regular price before and after the opening game (March 28-29), securing a large number of seats in the same account, and reselling them." Among them, we analyzed and identified suspected cases of fraudulent transactions, such as large-scale and curbside sales, excessive transactions, and repeated transactions of the same account, and asked the National Police Agency to investigate."
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism believes that ticket trading is a serious illegal act that undermines the fair viewing order and monitors online transactions at all times, centering on the Professional Sports Online Ticket Reporting Center (https://prosports.or.kr/report/m01/main) ). For the collected posts, it comprehensively analyzes seat information, transaction conditions, repetition of the same account, overpayment level, and overlapping posts between platforms, and selects suspected cases based on transaction methods.
In addition, in order to fundamentally solve the scalping problem, comprehensive measures are being implemented in parallel with the revision of the law and on-site response. The revision of the National Sports Promotion Act (announced on February 27, 2026, enforced on August 28) banned all fraudulent transactions regardless of whether macros (a program that automatically repeatedly inputs commands designated on the information and communication network) and introduced a fine of up to 50 times the amount sold and a report reward system.
In addition, the "Public-Private Consultative Group on the Prevention of Performance and Sports Ticket" was launched on the 5th of last month, involving the National Police Agency, the Fair Trade Commission, the Professional Sports Association, the Korea Baseball Organization, reservation offices, and second-hand trading platforms to establish a cooperative system such as monitoring, information sharing, and public relations. It induces self-regulation such as deleting posts on reservation offices and platforms, restricting transactions, and strengthening abnormal transaction detection systems, and promoting the eradication of ticket sales online and at the stadium site.
Professional baseball is a representative national sport watched by more than 12.7 million people last year, and the problem of ticket sales is intensifying along with the increase in demand for viewing. In response, the Korea Baseball Organization and each club are cooperating with the police to strengthen crackdowns on the site and promote messages to eradicate ticket sales through websites, electronic boards in stadiums, and banners. At the club level, the management system is also strengthening, such as sanctions on the illegal use of season and membership rights, cancellation of admission tickets and restrictions on use in case of violation of reservation policies.
"Ticketing is not just a transaction between individuals, but a clear illegal act that destroys the fairness of the sports industry and infringes on the people's right to watch," Minister Choi Hwi-young said. "With the revision of the National Sports Promotion Act, ticket trading is no longer condoned, but a serious offense that imposes high fines. Even before the enforcement of the law, we will preemptively respond by using all possible administrative and investigative measures," he said. In addition, "The eradication of scalpers is limited only by the government's crackdown, and a change in the perception of the people is essential. I hope everyone will actively participate in the eradication of scalpers," he stressed.
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*This content was translated by AI.
