Tickets for N. Korean band's concerts in Beijing sold on black market

Tickets for the canceled concerts in Beijing of an all-female band formed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had been sold on the black market for high prices, according to some Chinese people who bought tickets.

The Moranbong Band had been scheduled to perform for three days in Beijing starting Saturday, in what was seen as an apparent sign of warming ties between the allies. However, the band abruptly headed home hours before the first concert began Saturday.

The National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, where the concerts were to be staged, expressed "deep regret" over the sudden cancellation, without giving reasons why the concerts were canceled.

The three days of performances were not open to the public and were invitation-only, but some Chinese citizens arrived at the theater after buying the tickets for as much as 10,000 yuan (US$1,529.8) per ticket.

Hours after news stories about the cancellation were published, those who bought the tickets gathered at the theater Saturday evening.

A 40-something Chinese man, who would not give his name, voiced his anger, "How can this kind of thing happen? I bought this ticket for 10,000 yuan."

The Chinese man, who said he works in the broadcasting industry, bought the ticket because it was related to his job.

There was no immediate way to independently verify the authenticity of the ticket, but another Chinese buyer claimed that he was offered a ticket for as much as 15,000 yuan.

About 6,000 tickets were believed to be distributed for the three concerts.

One of the genuine tickets for the Saturday concert, seen by Yonhap News Agency, looks like a normal concert ticket and is not an invitation letter.

It appears that anyone who bought the ticket could attend the concert without providing his or her identification. (Yonhap)