Madness in Seoul: Pokémon event cancelled in South Korea after 40,000 people assemble in forest

The cancellation came amid heightened caution on South Korea’s first Labour Day observed as an official public holiday, with authorities prioritising crowd control and public safety.

In a statement posted on its official social media account, Pokémon Korea confirmed the decision.

“Hello, this is Pokémon Korea. The promotional card ‘Kingdra’ that was scheduled to be distributed today has been cancelled due to on-site safety considerations,” the statement said.

The organisers added that the distribution would be conducted later through an online application process, with further details to be shared via official channels.

According to reports, the Seoul city government had requested the cancellation due to the unexpectedly large turnout.

The event had promised fans a rare promotional Magikarp card, along with a themed sun visor, in exchange for collecting stamps across designated locations. The combination of a public holiday, the limited-edition collectible, and its potential resale value appears to have driven attendance far beyond expectations, The Korea Times reported.

Following the cancellation, the promotional card quickly surfaced on resale platforms, with listings reaching as high as 286,000 won (approximately $194) on the app Kream.

The abrupt cancellation sparked backlash on social media, with several users criticising the organisers for poor planning and communication.

One user wrote, “That’s ridiculous. They should have managed this in advance—what about people who travelled from out of town or overseas?”

Another commented, “In the future, events like this should be held outside Seoul.”

A third user described chaotic conditions at the venue, alleging that attendees had been lining up since early morning, only to face sudden changes in queue arrangements before being dispersed. “They changed the line positions, people started running, and then everyone was sent home citing safety reasons,” the user wrote.

The incident highlights the growing popularity of collectible-driven events and the challenges of managing large-scale fan gatherings in urban spaces.