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Netizens slam South Korean seller for trying to sell ‘BTS hat’ for US$7,000

  • The seller claimed to be an employee at the foreign ministry, which BTS visited last year to obtain diplomatic passports ahead of the UN General Assembly
  • The ministry could not confirm whether the bucket hat was really owned by BTS’ Jungkook, or if the seller was currently employed by the bureau

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BTS member Jungkook. Photo: @bts.bighitofficial/ Instagram
A South Korean seller claiming to be a civil service worker has stirred controversy for trying to sell a hat reportedly worn by BTS member Jungkook.
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The person, who attached a work ID from the foreign ministry to validate their identity and the product’s originality, put a hefty 10 million won (US$7,000) price tag on the bucket hat before removing it from the second-hand e-commerce platform Bungae Jangteo on Monday.

“When BTS members visited the passport division to create diplomatic passports, Jungkook left this bucket hat in the waiting area,” read a description accompanying the item.

BTS had visited the foreign department last year for diplomatic passports, but there was no record of any lost property. Photo: EPA-EFE
BTS had visited the foreign department last year for diplomatic passports, but there was no record of any lost property. Photo: EPA-EFE

“After reporting the hat as a lost property, we waited for six months, but there was no phone call or visit to acquire the hat. Therefore, the person who found the hat now has ownership.”

The merchant, who claimed to be a full-time worker at the foreign ministry, said the hat looks “very used” but that it was “priceless”, adding “I have no intention to reduce the cost”, the Korea JoongAng Daily reported.

BTS fans expressed anger at the sales pitch that also said the hat would be worth more in the future. They criticised the seller for illegally claiming ownership of the headgear.

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In South Korea, possessing a lost property without notifying the police is a crime that could be punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of up to 3 million won (US$2,100).

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