A dedicated crackdown on ticket scalping and seat fee demands will take place during the 21st Busan Fireworks Festival on November 7.
With a large influx of spectators expected at Gwangalli Beach, plainclothes police will be deployed. However, the effectiveness of identifying covert illegal transactions remains uncertain due to the festival's focus on safety management.
The Busan Police Agency announced on November 3 that over 30 officers will be stationed at Gwangalli Beach and nearby subway stations to focus on ticket sales and seat fee collection. Plainclothes officers will also address violations of public order, such as disturbances.
This operation marks the first dedicated effort to address ticket scalping and seat fees at the Busan Fireworks Festival.
A police official stated, "Until last year, there was no dedicated unit to handle ticket scalping issues at the fireworks festival. This year, we are organizing a dedicated team for enforcement."
Police are also reviewing suspicious posts on online resale platforms. However, they noted that verifying actual transaction locations or the existence of illegal activities based solely on online posts is challenging.
The official added, "We have identified suspicious posts related to transactions on platforms like Danggeun Market and are considering the possibility of similar transactions occurring on-site."
Currently, the scale of reports and detections related to ticket scalping and seat fees at the Busan Fireworks Festival remains unclear. The police have not conducted a separate analysis of past reports, and specific cases of harm have not been confirmed during this investigation.
There are practical limitations to on-site enforcement. On the day of the festival, police resources will primarily focus on ensuring the safety of the large crowd. The 30 officers assigned to enforce ticket scalping and seat fee regulations will come from existing departmental personnel.
A police representative stated, "Safety is the top priority at the fireworks festival, so police resources are primarily allocated to safety management. We cannot deploy hundreds of officers for ticket scalping enforcement, which is why we have organized a dedicated team from our existing personnel."
Ticket scalping and seat fee collection can be punished under the Minor Offenses Act. The police explained that ticket scalping falls under Article 3, Section 2, Item 4 of the law, while seat fee collection is addressed in Article 3, Section 1, Item 35.
Actions such as occupying a spot in a public area like Gwangalli Beach and demanding money from other spectators are also subject to enforcement.
The police urge anyone who is asked for a seat fee or witnesses illegal transactions to report immediately by calling 112. Reports do not require photographic or video evidence, as statements made on-site can also be used for reporting.
The issue of recovering previously paid seat fees is separate. The police clarified that the matter of monetary refunds is a civil issue and distinct from on-site enforcement.
A representative from the Busan Police Agency stated, "The Busan Fireworks Festival should be an event that all citizens can enjoy fairly and at a reasonable cost. We will respond strictly to any actions that privatize public spaces or seek unjust profits."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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