Seoul gets ready for BTS comeback event: 6,500 cops for 260,000 expected concert-goers

South Korean authorities are preparing extensive security measures for the massive BTS comeback concert on March 21.

The free concert will be held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul and CNA Lifestyle reported that an estimated 260,000 people are expected to gather in the area.

South Korean authorities will deploy approximately 6,500 police officers, including specialized units, along with additional security personnel.

Equipment such as aerial observation vehicles and safety barricades will also be mobilized.

Entry to the venue will be controlled through 31 gates equipped with walk-through metal detectors, starting at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the concert. Officials advised attendees to expect long wait times and bring fewer belongings.

According to Malay Mail, South Korea President Lee Jae Myung called for a meeting to discuss tighter security measures ahead of BTS’s comeback concert.

Lee emphasized that safety must be the top priority and urged authorities to consider possible terrorist acts in their plans.

"We hope this will be a  meaningful occasion to share our cultural heritage and the charm of K-culture together. To ensure the event proceeds safely, we are making thorough preparations with relevant ministries, local governments, police, fire departments, and other related institutions to ensure the event proceeds safely," Lee said.

"We hope that this BTS performance will once again demonstrate the great cultural power created by Korea and become a special moment remembered by people around the world for a long time," Lee said.

According to ChosunBiz, Deputy Prime Minister Bae Kyung-hoon announced an emergency communications support plan to manage the anticipated surge in attendees.

A stadium-style crowd control system will be implemented, and gates may close if the area becomes too crowded. Access to rooftops and upper floors of nearby buildings will also be restricted to prevent overcrowding and potential accidents. 

Several major roads and nearby streets will be closed during the event.

Train services may also be adjusted if crowd levels rise significantly. After the concert, spectators will be guided out gradually to prevent congestion.

Additional officers may be deployed to nearby areas such as Itaewon and Seongsu-dong in case attendees gather there afterward.

The event marks BTS’ first full-group performance in nearly four years and is expected to draw significant global attention.

OTHER CITY PREPARATIONS

According to a Reuters report, the chart-topping K-pop group is marking the release of its first new album in more than three years with the free concert before it embarks on a global tour in April.

Workers were seen building a large outdoor stage branded “BTS” in central Seoul, while nearby buildings displayed teaser videos for the event.

Police have put in place traffic control measures around the area stretching from Gwanghwamun Square to Seoul Plaza, with barriers, “No Entry” signs and police lines set up to manage crowds. 

Telecom providers are deploying temporary infrastructure to prevent network congestion. SK Telecom said it had conducted a pre-event traffic analysis across the entire area and installed mobile base stations and other equipment to ensure stable service, particularly for high uplink demand during the concert.

“We conducted a pre-event traffic analysis covering the entire area from Gwanghwamun Square to Seoul Plaza… to ensure optimized network performance so there are no service disruptions,” said Sim Kyu-cheol, a manager at SK Telecom, adding that an AI-based system drawing on data from past large-scale events was used to determine optimal equipment placement.

Local retailers are also preparing for increased demand.

A GS25 convenience store near the venue said it had stocked up to eight to ten times its usual inventory of items such as banana milk, instant noodles, bottled water and BTS-related goods, and plans to deploy additional staff on the day to handle the anticipated influx of customers.

The one-hour event will be streamed live on Netflix to 190 countries, drawing global attention amid heightened domestic scrutiny and overcrowding safety.

-Paraluman News with Daewoung Kim, Heejung Jung/Reuters