On September 19, at approximately 4 PM, a counter-terrorism exercise took place at the Goyang Sports Complex in South Korea, involving 117 personnel from seven different institutions, including police, military, fire authorities, and venue officials. The drill was triggered by a simulated bomb threat that was reported on social media, prompting a swift response from police and emergency responders. During the exercise, attendees were evacuated from the premises, and emergency teams catered to an injured individual amidst the chaos.

Following the evacuation, a police special forces unit commenced a thorough search of the venue with the assistance of bomb detection dogs. After identifying the threat as an improvised explosive device, specially trained officers in protective gear were deployed to safely diffuse the bomb in accordance with protocol. The event was organized primarily to prepare for the upcoming BTS World Tour performances set to occur from October 9 to 12 at the same venue, which are expected to attract large crowds of over 40,000 fans at each show.

The exercise garnered particular attention due to its coinciding with a major BTS concert scheduled for September 21 in Gwanghwamun, where crowds of up to 260,000 people are anticipated. Authorities emphasized the importance of this coordinated drill, aiming to assess the readiness and response ability of several agencies in the face of potential threats at events gathering large numbers of people, as incidents involving explosives in public areas have been on the rise. The collaboration among police, military, and local government aims to enhance security for these high-profile public gatherings.