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 illegalities 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.
According to Deputy Spokesperson Jeon Eunsu, Chief of Staff Kang issued these directives while presiding over a meeting of senior secretaries and aides at the presidential office in Yongsan on the 27th.
Recently, ahead of the professional baseball Korean Series, there have been cases where individuals used macros on certain online platforms to reserve large numbers of seats and then sold these tickets at inflated prices of up to 2 million won. This practice deprives legitimate consumers of their opportunity to attend and severely disrupts market order, with the trend spreading not only in sports but also in concerts, KTX, and other public transportation sectors.
In response, Chief of Staff Kang stated, "Fundamental institutional reforms are needed to eradicate ticket scalping itself, not just to crack down on clear illegalities such as the use of macros." He instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Fair Trade Commission, and other relevant ministries to prepare plans for improving the overall ticket distribution system. He also directed the National Police Agency to work with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), the Korea Creative Content Agency, and other related organizations to strengthen the blocking of online scalping transactions and on-site enforcement.
Regarding the stabilization of the rare earth supply chain and the strategy to foster it as a national strategic industry, Chief of Staff Kang reviewed the impact of strengthened export controls on rare earths amid escalating U.S.-China tensions. Rare earths are essential resources for advanced industries such as semiconductors and batteries, as well as for the defense industry, including stealth fighter jets and Aegis destroyers, earning them the nickname "vitamins of high-tech industries."
Chief of Staff Kang stated, "Since China accounts for more than 70% of global rare earth production, strengthened export controls could have a direct impact on domestic industries," and instructed, "Prepare measures to foster rare earths as a national strategic industry by expanding technology development and production capacity." He further emphasized, "We should leverage our experience in localizing core materials, components, and equipment in response to Japan's export restrictions in 2019 to use this issue 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 scheduled to take place in Gyeongju, Chief of Staff Kang stressed, "Since this is a nationwide event with concentrated visits from foreign dignitaries, thorough safety measures must be established." He specifically added, "We must not forget the investigation results showing that a lack of police presence in the Itaewon area, due to a focus on protests in Yongsan, led to a tragedy. Ensure that there are no gaps in daily policing due to APEC support."
He also ordered inspections in preparation for heavy snowfall during the winter. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy snow is forecast again this year, particularly along the west coast. Chief of Staff Kang directed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and local governments to immediately conduct preemptive inspections and reinforcement of vulnerable facilities such as roads, buildings, livestock barns, and greenhouses. He concluded, "Conduct thorough safety management and on-site inspections so that not only foreign guests attending the APEC Summit but all citizens can safely conclude the year 2025."
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