If you search for 'KTX Macro' on internet portal sites like Naver and Google, a Chrome browser extension appears. This program, which can be used like an additional feature of the Chrome browser, helps with automated input for KTX ticket reservations.
The usage is very simple. After installing and running the program, clicking the 'Start automatic reservation' button makes the program refresh and attempt to purchase tickets continuously until it captures one. If a cancellation ticket becomes available for the desired train, an automatic reservation is made with a 'beep' sound. If the reserved ticket is paid for within 20 minutes, the reservation is completed.
While it is easy to think of this macro program as a tool to quickly capture hard-to-get tickets, using it carelessly can result in being branded as a 'bad member' by Korail and SR, potentially blocking access to their services.
According to the railway industry on the 1st, Korail, which operates the KTX, and SR, which operates the SRT, are currently waging a war against macro programs. SR has reported nine members suspected of using macro programs during the reservation period for the Lunar New Year holiday to the police on charges of obstruction of business.
These nine individuals reportedly made 64 million purchasing attempts using macro programs. The person with the highest attempts alone made an astonishing 31 million attempts. If each attempt took 1 second, that would equal 31 million seconds, or 359 days, effectively a year of purchasing attempts. It is impossible for a person to physically make this number of attempts. SR estimates that they were running the macro program on multiple devices.
The purpose for which the customer used the macro program has not yet been confirmed. An SR official noted, 'It is expected that the police investigation will reveal whether the person suspected of having purchased the tickets sold them on the black market or used them for personal purposes.'
Why is using a macro program that helps secure cancellation tickets problematic when the need for high-speed train travel is urgent? Both railway public corporations explain that it is 'a clear obstruction of business that causes overload on the reservation system and limits legitimate customers' reservation opportunities.'
The problem is that there are no effective measures to prevent general customers from using macro programs. The issue of 'neglect regarding macro programs' was also brought up during last year's National Assembly audit of the railway public corporations.
During the National Assembly's audit of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea stated, 'In 2020, 2,000 people made 100,000 purchases (with the macro program), and returned 99,000 of them. In 2024, 4,000 people bought 200,000, returning nearly all of them,' urging for countermeasures. The former member pointed out, 'A few people are buying tickets in bulk and then refunding in bulk. However, the refund amount does not differ much from the purchase price,' and added, 'Both Korail and SR are causing many people to suffer, yet they are not implementing any measures.'
Korail and SR are attempting to block macro usage through macro blocking programs, but the effectiveness has been minimal. Monthly purchase transactions through macro programs amount to 150,000, but only about 6,000 transactions were defended by blocking programs, resulting in a detection rate of less than 5%.
To alleviate the competition for securing cancellation tickets, SR recently improved its 'ticket cancellation fee' policy.
Previously, if a cancellation was made from the day of departure until one hour before, only the minimum penalty (400 won) was charged. From one hour before until just before departure, a cancellation fee of 10% of the fare was applied. This cancellation fee policy led to a phenomenon where many cancellation train tickets were flooding in just one hour before departure.
From last month, if a cancellation is made from the day of departure until three hours before, no fee is charged on weekdays (Monday to Thursday), but from Friday to Sunday, a 5% cancellation fee of the fare is applied. From three hours before until just before departure, a cancellation fee of 5% of the fare is charged on weekdays and 10% on weekends.
An SR official stated, 'We have revised the passenger transport regulations to strengthen the standard for penalties during normal times,' adding, 'We have made it so that a decision to cancel must be made three hours before departure to allow others to purchase. For those trying to secure multiple tickets using macro programs, the burden of fees will increase.'
Korail is enhancing monitoring of abnormal ticket reservations, including the use of macro programs. Starting this month, individual customers will be limited to a maximum of 10 tickets per train and 20 tickets per day. Additionally, they plan to take strong measures against habitual bulk purchasers and cancelers, from banning purchases to membership termination, based on analyzing the refund rate relative to the payment amount. A Korail official stated, 'We will refine the system to ensure that genuine demanders can use the trains conveniently.'