The South Korean government has issued a crowd safety alert in central Seoul ahead of the upcoming comeback event by BTS, as authorities anticipate large gatherings around the Gwanghwamun area on March 21.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on March 11 that it held an inter-agency meeting chaired by Minister Yoon Ho Jung to review safety measures for the event.
Officials expect a large crowd to gather near Gwanghwamun, including approximately 22,000 ticket holders from both South Korea and overseas.
To prevent potential accidents caused by overcrowding, the government plans to preemptively issue a “Caution” level crisis alert for large crowd disasters. The alert will apply for one day on March 21 across Seoul’s Jongno District and Jung District.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the police will establish a situation management team to monitor conditions before and after the event, while local governments will operate rapid-response units to handle potential emergencies.
Ahead of the event, a joint government safety inspection team made up of public and private sector officials will visit the site on March 19 and March 20 to conduct comprehensive safety checks. Minister Yoon is also expected to visit the venue beforehand to personally inspect areas considered high-risk for crowd congestion.
Field situation managers from the ministry will also be deployed at key crowd gathering points.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will conduct safety consultations and inspect stage facilities and seating areas. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will prepare for potential medical emergencies by establishing a rapid-response system involving local health centers and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT).
Police will be responsible for maintaining order, ensuring public security, and carrying out counterterrorism activities near the venue, while fire authorities will deploy rescue personnel and ambulances to respond to potential safety incidents.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will activate its Citizen Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to oversee the implementation of safety plans. The city will also provide convenience services such as temporary restroom installations and guidance for foreign visitors, while cracking down on illegal street vendors and improper parking around the area.
The government said these safety measures will extend beyond the comeback event itself, as similar crowd management plans will be implemented for the group’s upcoming world tour concerts scheduled for April in Goyang and June in Busan.
Minister Yoon stated, “The government will place the safety of everyone attending the event as the top priority and make every effort to ensure a safe environment that reflects the global stature of K-culture.”
SEE ALSO: South Korea moves to crack down on ticket scalping ahead of BTS concert
