BTS are set to stage a major full-group comeback concert in Seoul on 21 March, with city officials preparing one of the largest public safety operations ever organised in the South Korean capital.
The performance at Gwanghwamun Square is expected to attract around 260,000 people, according to city authorities. It will mark the group’s first performance together in nearly four years, prompting extensive crowd-control planning across central Seoul.
Seoul deploys thousands of safety personnel
Officials confirmed that around 3,400 safety personnel will be deployed across the city centre during the event.
The plans were finalised during a high-level safety meeting led by Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul, following concerns about the scale of the crowds expected to attend the concert.
According to local reports, police officers will begin patrolling the area around Gwanghwamun Square a day before the event to prevent overnight camping and stop illegal vendors from blocking pedestrian routes.
Emergency response teams will also be positioned across the area.
Authorities plan to deploy 99 fire trucks and 765 fire and disaster response personnel across three designated zones surrounding the venue to ensure rapid response if incidents occur.
Major transport disruptions planned
Transport services around central Seoul will face significant disruption during the event.
Entrances at nearby subway stations including Gwanghwamun Station, City Hall Station, and Gyeongbokgung Station will be closed for most of the afternoon and evening.
Trains will pass through the stations without stopping during peak crowd periods. Bus routes that normally run through the district will also be diverted away from the square.
To help manage crowds after the concert, Seoul Metro will operate 12 additional late-night subway services to move fans out of the area more efficiently.
Multilingual support for international fans
With tens of thousands of overseas visitors expected to attend the concert, Seoul officials are expanding multilingual support services throughout the district.
Emergency alerts and transport updates will be issued in Korean and English, while digital guides and real-time navigation maps will be available in up to four languages.
Approximately 70 tour guides and 600 volunteers will be deployed around the area to help visitors find transport, information centres and facilities such as toilets.
The city will also increase staffing at its multilingual tourist helpline on 20 and 21 March.
Seoul mayor addresses safety planning
Mayor Oh stressed that the city’s priority is ensuring the event concludes safely for residents and visitors.
“Only ends when the very last citizen has returned home safely.”
He also said officials hope international fans attending the concert will recognise Seoul’s safety preparations.
Seoul’s safety standards are “on a different level”.
The concert marks one of the most anticipated live events in South Korea this year and reflects the global scale of BTS’ fanbase, with international travellers expected to arrive from across Asia, Europe and North America.
