The South Korean government has issued a precautionary 'crowd disaster' alert for the BTS comeback concert in Gwanghwamun, which is expected to draw around 260,000 attendees.
A significant event is set to take place on the 21st of this month, as the popular South Korean band BTS is scheduled to perform in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Authorities anticipate that up to 260,000 fans will attend the concert, including 22,000 ticket holders from both domestic and international markets. In light of this expected influx of attendees, the government has proactively issued a 'caution' level alert regarding potential crowd disasters, marking the second such warning since last year's Halloween crowd surge incident.
On November 11, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety convened a meeting with various stakeholders including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, local district offices, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, and the Seoul Transportation Corporation to develop and review safety management strategies for the event. Starting at midnight on the day of the concert until midnight the next day, the warning will be applicable to specific districts in Seoul, enabling authorities to bolster their response capacity and enhance safety measures.
As part of the preparations, a joint safety inspection team made up of government and private sector representatives will assess the safety management of the concert venue on the 19th and 20th. Interior Minister Yoon Ho-joong will also inspect high-risk areas for crowd accidents. The government plans to establish a real-time incident management system at the Government Seoul Building, ensuring consistent communication between agencies regarding the event's progress. Support measures will include sending crowd management officials to densely populated areas and maintaining security and emergency medical services to mitigate risks during the concert.
