"Free Invitation Tickets Sold for 500,000 Won"... Resale Boom at Fireworks Festival

Invitation tickets priced around 100,000 to 150,000 KRW each
Sales posts steadily appearing... Actual transactions also taking place

As the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, which attracts over one million people, is set to take place on the 7th, it has been reported that the resale of 'invitation tickets'?which were distributed for free only to employees, partners, and lottery winners?has become rampant.

On the 5th, fireworks festival tickets were traded at high prices on secondhand trading apps such as Junggonara and Danggeun Market. These invitation tickets, originally distributed for free, were sold for around 100,000 to 150,000 KRW each. Some were even sold as two tickets for 500,000 KRW.

The scene of the 2022 Seoul International Fireworks Festival. [Photo by Hanwha Group]

On the secondhand trading platform Junggonara, posts selling Seoul International Fireworks Festival invitation tickets appeared within about an hour on the previous afternoon. More than 20 posts were uploaded on the same day with titles like "Selling 2 tickets for 230,000 KRW" and "Selling 4 tickets for 480,000 KRW." The prices formed were roughly 100,000 to 150,000 KRW per ticket.

On Danggeun Market, posts such as "2 tickets in G Zone for 300,000 KRW" were steadily uploaded, and some actual transactions took place.

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is held annually at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul as part of Hanwha Group’s social contribution activities. This year, under the theme "Lights of Tomorrow," which brightly illuminates the world of tomorrow with vibrant colors, three countries?Korea, China, and Poland?are participating.

Ineffective Minor Offense Punishment Act

On the secondhand trading platform Junggonara, posts selling invitation tickets for the Seoul World Fireworks Festival appeared within about an hour on the afternoon of the previous day. More than 20 sales posts were uploaded on the same day, such as "Selling 2 viewing tickets for 230,000 won" and "Selling 4 tickets for 480,000 won." The established price was roughly 100,000 to 150,000 won per ticket. On Danggeun, sales posts including "G Zone 2 tickets for 300,000 won" were steadily posted, and actual transactions took place in some cases.
[Photo by secondhand trading platform]

Recently, on secondhand trading platforms, reselling items obtained for free or at low prices with a high markup has become widespread. This behavior is repeatedly seen in popular singers’ concerts, sports games, limited edition products, and more. Consequently, there have been ongoing concerns that clear sanctions are needed against some sellers who seek to make excessive profits through ticket resales.

However, there is also a counterargument that tickets are resold at prices higher than face value because there is demand from buyers willing to pay a premium.

Under the current Minor Offense Punishment Act, reselling tickets at a markup in places such as stadiums, stations, and performance venues can result in a fine of up to 200,000 KRW. However, the current law only regulates such acts in offline locations. Considering that most transactions now occur online, the punishment regulation is effectively ineffective.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.