‘2 Million Won Korean Series Scalped Tickets?’ Kang Hoonshik Orders Overhaul of Entire Ticket Distribution System

Instructions to Prepare Measures for Stabilizing the Rare Earth Supply Chain
APEC Summit: “Thorough Safety Measures Must Be Established”
Calls for Safety Measures Against Heavy Snowfall

Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik instructed relevant ministries to devise measures to eradicate ticket scalping for the Korean Series, stabilize the rare earth supply chain, and establish safety measures for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and heavy snowfall preparedness. Regarding the crackdown on ticket scalping, he called for fundamental institutional reforms and the strengthening of online scalping transaction blocking and on-site enforcement, going beyond targeting only clear illegal activities such as the use of macros. He also emphasized the need to develop strategies to foster rare earths as a national strategic industry by expanding domestic technology development and production capacity.

Yonhap News Agency

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According to Deputy Spokesperson Jeon Eunsu, Chief of Staff Kang presided over a meeting of senior secretaries and aides at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 27th and gave these instructions.

Recently, ahead of the professional baseball Korean Series, there have been cases where individuals used macros on certain online sites to secure large numbers of seats and then sold high-priced scalped tickets for up to 2 million won. This deprives legitimate consumers of the opportunity to attend and severely disrupts market order. The trend is spreading beyond sports to performances and even public transportation sectors such as KTX.

In response, Chief of Staff Kang stated, “It is necessary to implement fundamental institutional reforms that can eradicate ticket scalping itself, not just crack down on clear illegal activities such as the use of macros.” He instructed relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Fair Trade Commission, to prepare measures to overhaul the entire ticket distribution structure. He also directed the National Police Agency to strengthen the blocking of online scalping transactions and on-site enforcement in cooperation with related organizations such as the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and the Korea Creative Content Agency.

Regarding the stabilization of the rare earth supply chain and the development of rare earths as a national strategic industry, Chief of Staff Kang reviewed the impact of strengthened export controls on rare earths amid intensifying U.S.-China tensions. Rare earths are essential resources for advanced industries such as semiconductors and batteries, as well as for defense industries including stealth fighter jets and Aegis destroyers, earning them the nickname “vitamins of advanced industries.”

Chief of Staff Kang noted, “China accounts for more than 70% of global rare earth production, so strengthened export controls could directly affect domestic industries.” He instructed ministries to “develop strategies to foster rare earths as a national strategic industry by expanding technology development and production capacity.” He further emphasized, “We should leverage the experience of achieving localization of materials, parts, and equipment following Japan’s export restrictions in 2019 to use this situation as an opportunity to strengthen supply chain stability.”

He also called for safety measures for the APEC Summit and heavy snowfall preparedness. With the 2025 APEC Summit set to take place in Gyeongju, Chief of Staff Kang stressed, “As national events and visits by foreign dignitaries will be concentrated, thorough safety measures must be established.” He specifically stated, “We must not forget the findings that the concentration of police resources on protests in the Yongsan area in the past led to a lack of order in the Itaewon area, resulting in a tragedy. Make sure that support for APEC does not create gaps in public safety, and prepare thoroughly.”

He also instructed preparations for heavy snowfall in winter. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy snowfall is forecast again this year, particularly along the west coast. Chief of Staff Kang directed relevant ministries, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as well as local governments, to immediately conduct inspections and reinforcement of vulnerable facilities such as roads, buildings, livestock barns, and greenhouses. He stated, “Conduct thorough safety management and on-site inspections so that not only foreign dignitaries visiting the APEC Summit, but all citizens, can safely conclude the year 2025.”

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