BTS Live D-1: Music video for SWIM surpasses four million views in thirty minutes SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - The official music video for SWIM, the lead single from the fifth full-length album by the musical group BTS, amassed more than four million views on YouTube within thirty minutes of its 1:00 p.m. (0400 GMT) release today. This rapid digital consumption follows a nearly four-year hiatus during which the seven members completed their mandatory military service. The unprecedented interest serves as a primary indicator of the global anticipation for the album, titled Arirang, which is the first collective project from the ensemble since their return to civilian life. While these digital metrics escalate, the physical landscape of South Korea is transforming to accommodate the first live performance of the new material. Authorities in Seoul have reported that 22,000 ticketed spectators will be permitted into Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, though officials estimate that 260,000 people will congregate in the surrounding district. The site remains restricted to specialized personnel as technicians finalize the installation of the stage, lighting, and audio systems required for the production. To mitigate the risk of overcrowding and potential stampedes, a stadium-style management system has been implemented with 31 controlled entry points surrounding the square. The municipal government has mandated that subway trains bypass the Gwanghwamun, City Hall, and Gyeongbokgung stations during peak hours to maintain public safety. Traffic congestion in the central business district is projected to reach one hundred percent as the performance time approaches. Security operations and logistical restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect until the conclusion of the event on the evening of March 21. This mobilization of city resources reflects the scale of the return for the group following their period of national service. The surge in online engagement for the SWIM video coincides with the extensive measures taken by the administration to manage the crowds in the heart of the capital. 2026-03-20 13:53:11

LG Energy Solution pivots to energy storage as EV battery demand slows SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution announced it is accelerating a strategic shift toward energy storage systems as slowing electric vehicle demand reshapes the global battery industry, with the South Korean company moving to rebalance a business long anchored to the automotive sector. Chief Executive Kim Dong-myung told shareholders Friday at the company's annual general meeting in Seoul that the industry has entered a period of "value shift," in which growth is migrating away from electric vehicles and toward energy infrastructure. "We will seize new growth opportunities amid structural changes in power demand," Kim said. The remarks amounted to a formal acknowledgment that the battery sector's center of gravity is tilting from EVs to grid-scale storage, driven by rising electricity consumption from artificial intelligence data centers and the expansion of renewable energy generation worldwide. LG Energy Solution, one of Korea's largest battery maker, plans to raise ESS cell production capacity to more than 60 gigawatt-hours by the end of 2026. The company's ESS order backlog stood at 140 GWh at the end of 2025, and it is targeting an additional 90 GWh in new orders this year. North America is the centerpiece of the push. The company now operates five ESS production sites in the region, including standalone plants in Michigan and a facility run by its Canadian subsidiary NextStar Energy, as well as joint ventures with Honda in Ohio and partnerships with Ultium Cells in Tennessee. It is also converting existing EV battery lines to ESS use to minimize fresh capital spending. The North American focus carries a distinct policy advantage. Washington's Inflation Reduction Act restricts tax incentives for batteries and critical minerals sourced from Chinese supply chains, and LG Energy Solution's domestic manufacturing footprint positions it as one of the few non-Chinese suppliers of lithium iron phosphate cells in the United States. In Europe, the company is repurposing idle EV production capacity for ESS manufacturing, a strategy designed to contain investment costs while responding to regional demand. LG Energy Solution said it aims to raise the share of ESS and new businesses in its portfolio from about 20 percent at present to the mid-40 percent range, reducing its dependence on the volatile EV market. Industry analysts say companies that secure ESS production capacity and non-Chinese supply chains early are likely to gain a durable competitive edge as the battery market transitions from a single reliance on electric vehicles to a broader energy infrastructure model. 2026-03-20 13:48:40

Samsung Biologics shareholders approve third term for CEO John Rim, boosting CDMO push Samsung Biologics shareholders on March 20 approved a third term for CEO John Rim, extending his leadership through March 2029 as the company accelerates its contract development and manufacturing organization, or CDMO, strategy. The company said the meeting, held at Songdo Convensia in Incheon’s Yeonsu district, passed the agenda item to reappoint Rim as an inside director as proposed. Marking Samsung Biologics’ 15th anniversary, Rim said the company would continue efforts to raise shareholder value by enhancing corporate value and to contribute to South Korea’s bio industry and economic development. He said the company carried out structural changes and strategic investments for future growth, adding that it completed a spin-off to establish a governance structure that allows greater focus on the CDMO business, improves transparency and clarifies a shift to a pure-play CDMO model. Samsung Biologics said it will speed up construction of a large-scale CDMO production hub centered on Songdo. With plants 1 through 4 and the recent completion of plant 5, it has secured capacity of 785,000 liters. It is preparing plant 6, with 180,000 liters of capacity, targeting completion in 2027. Once finished, total capacity would reach 965,000 liters. The company also plans to diversify its global supply chain through its Rockville, Maryland, plant with 60,000 liters of capacity. The expansion and increased orders have been reflected in results. Samsung Biologics said it has posted record performance for three consecutive years since 2022 and became the first company in South Korea’s pharmaceutical and biotech sector to surpass 4 trillion won in annual revenue. After operating profit exceeded 1 trillion won in 2023, the company said it nearly doubled that figure within two years, posting 2025 revenue of 4.557 trillion won and operating profit of 2.0692 trillion won. It aims to top 5 trillion won in revenue this year, the company said. Rim said that during his next three-year term the company plans to expand global production bases, diversify its business portfolio and pursue digital innovation to strengthen its position as a top-tier global bio company. Also approved at the meeting were the reappointment of Vice President Noh Gyun, head of the EPCV Center, and the appointment of Kim Jeong-yeon, a professor at Ewha Womans University Law School, as an outside director and audit committee member. Shareholders also passed amendments to the articles of incorporation reflecting revisions to the Commercial Act, including mandatory cumulative voting, and approved financial statements for fiscal 2025, the company said. Separately, Samsung Epis Holdings, which was spun off from Samsung Biologics in November and serves as a holding company leading the group’s biosimilar business, held its first shareholders meeting on March 20. At the meeting at Songdo Convensia, shareholders approved six agenda items, including approval of the company’s first financial statements, appointments of inside directors and audit committee members, and the cap on directors’ compensation, the company said. Samsung Epis Holdings also appointed Vice President Kim Hyeong-jun, who previously served as head of the management support office at Samsung Bioepis, as a new inside director. Kim Gyeong-a, president of Samsung Epis Holdings, said the company will work to enhance shareholder value by building a long-term growth foundation, including expanding its biosimilar product portfolio and broadening into new drug development. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 13:42:00

BTS to Return After 4 Years With Netflix Live Show at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun 2026년 3월 21일, Seoul’s central Gwanghwamun area will be turned into a major stage broadcast live to more than 190 countries. Netflix will stream its first live event produced in South Korea, “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG,” marking the group’s first comeback performance in four years. Netflix held a media briefing Friday at Cinecube Gwanghwamun in Seoul’s Jongno district to outline the project and share production details. Attendees included Brandon Rigg, a Netflix vice president; Kim Hyun-jung, a BigHit Music vice president; Yoo Dong-ju, APAC head of HYBE Music Group; and executive producer Garrett English. Yoo said the question he heard most during preparations was, “Why Gwanghwamun?” He said the team focused on what would feel distinctly BTS, and that HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk wanted the group’s return after four years to begin in “South Korea’s most symbolic space,” reflecting HYBE’s goal of expanding fan experiences. Yoo said the aim is to share a rare cultural moment — people of different ages and nationalities celebrating together at an iconic Korean site — with viewers worldwide. English said the central challenge was placing a modern pop show in a historic setting. He said the production held ongoing discussions on how to balance tradition and modernity while fully realizing BTS’ vision and showing respect for Gyeongbokgung, describing collaboration and faithful execution of the members’ creative intent as key principles. He called the physical scale “massive,” but said the goal is not only to capture the sweep from Gyeongbokgung to Seoul Plaza, but also to preserve close, intimate moments between the seven members and their fans — and to deliver that energy effectively to viewers watching live around the world. Kim said the new release’s title, “Arirang,” reflects that approach. She described it as an album that starts from the members’ roots, using both Korean and English so global fans can understand the message. She said it is intended to be enjoyed across generations, including by people who may not know BTS well. Kim added that BTS has long put its emotions and stories into its music, and that the members, Bang and staff worked closely to decide what message to deliver. For Netflix, Rigg said, the event is more than another program. He said single moments that connect the world at the same time are becoming rarer amid abundant entertainment choices, calling the BTS show the biggest live moment Netflix will present this year and a landmark partnership. Rigg said Netflix made major investments in local infrastructure and technical stability, drawing on experience from live broadcasts in extreme environments, including a Taipei skyscraper, to meet the constraints of a downtown location and expectations of hundreds of millions of simultaneous viewers. Joking, he said he was not sure what is harder — climbing a skyscraper or satisfying ARMY — but added that Netflix worked closely with local partners to prioritize reliability. He said Netflix has strong confidence in Korean content and that there was no better choice than BTS, adding the collaboration would set a new standard for Netflix live. On possible expansion into sports or other K-pop live events, he said many discussions are underway. Producers said the key viewing points are the combination of overwhelming scale and emotional closeness — capturing the size of Gwanghwamun while not losing the bond between the members and fans. Rigg also hinted at an unrevealed surprise, saying Saturday’s stage would offer a rare spectacle and become a massive global viewing party for ARMY and other viewers. “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” is scheduled to be streamed live worldwide on Netflix at 8 p.m. Saturday.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 13:03:20

Samsung Biologics reappoints CEO John Rim as inside director SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - Samsung Biologics said Friday that shareholders reappointed Chief Executive John Rim as an inside director at the company's 15th annual general meeting. About 1,400 shareholders participated in the meeting, which was conducted both on-site and via online livestream. All five agenda items put to a vote were approved as proposed. In addition to Rim, Executive Vice President Lo Kun, who heads the EPCV Center, was also reappointed as an inside director. Kim Jung-yeon, a professor at Ewha Womans University Law School, was newly appointed as an outside director and audit committee member. Other approved items included the adoption of financial statements, amendments to the company's articles of incorporation and a cap on executive compensation. "This year marks our meaningful 15th anniversary," Rim said. "We will continue our efforts to enhance corporate and shareholder value while contributing to the growth of South Korea's bio industry and economy." 2026-03-20 12:12:30

BigHit Music VP: BTS’ ‘Arirang’ album starts from the group’s roots Kim Hyun-jung, a vice president at BigHit Music, introduced BTS’ new album, titled 'Arirang.' A media briefing for Netflix's 'BTS Comeback Live: Arirang (ARIRANG)' was held March 20 at Cinecube in Seoul's Jongno district. Attendees included Brandon Rigg, Netflix VP for nonfiction series and sports; Kim; Yoo Dong-ju, APAC representative for HYBE Music Group; and executive producer Garrett English. Kim said BTS has consistently made music that reflects the stories they want to tell and the emotions they feel at the time. She described the full-length album 'Arirang' as capturing the members' feelings and messages. She said the group worked closely during production with BTS members, executive producer Bang Si-hyuk and BigHit staff. She added that, as the album title suggests, it starts from BTS' roots and uses both Korean and English so listeners worldwide can understand the message. Kim said she hopes the album can be enjoyed across generations by longtime fans as well as people less familiar with BTS. BTS will release its fifth full-length album, 'Arirang,' at 1 p.m. on March 20. It is the group's first new release in three years and nine months since the June 2022 anthology album 'Proof.' The group has said the release will open a new chapter, 'BTS 2.0.' The album, which includes BTS' identity and universal emotions, was executive produced by Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. A comeback live show will be held at Gwanghwamun at 8 p.m. on March 21 and streamed live on Netflix.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-20 12:00:19

South Korea's digital payments surge, platform dominance intensifies SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - Digital payment transactions in South Korea continued their steady upward trajectory last year, with both transaction volume and value rising from a year earlier. Notably, the dominance of tech platforms in simplified payment and remittance services has intensified, with their market share once again surpassing the 50 percent mark. According to data released by the Bank of Korea (BOK) on Friday, the average daily value of Payment Gateway (PG) services reached 1.55 trillion won ($1.04 billion) in 2025, a 9.2 percent increase from the previous year. The daily average number of transactions also climbed 11.8 percent to 33.64 million. PG services, which manage the overall online payment process, include major operators such as Nice Payments, KG Inicis, Toss Payments, and Kakao Pay. By payment method, credit cards accounted for approximately 77 percent of the total daily volume at 26.04 million cases. In terms of value, credit card payments reached 1.17 trillion won, up 12.3 percent year-on-year. Other payment methods, including "pay money" and local currencies, saw a 14.4 percent increase to 4.80 million cases (115.3 billion won). Bank transfers also rose significantly, jumping 20.2 percent to 2.00 million daily transactions. In contrast, the use of virtual accounts—often used for wire transfers—dropped 9.0 percent to 798,000 cases as the rise of simplified payments reduced their necessity. Despite a brief rebound in 2024, the downward trend resumed last year as payment platforms became more deeply integrated into daily life. The use of prepaid electronic payment services, where users charge funds in advance, also grew. Daily transactions rose 8.0 percent to 36.54 million, while the total value increased 11.0 percent to 1.31 trillion won. Payments through non-bank electronic financial business operators, such as Toss Payments and Naver Pay, reached 34.21 million cases, a 7.7 percent increase from 2024. These entities saw a 10.7 percent rise in value to 1.26 trillion won, maintaining a dominant market share within the prepaid sector. Specifically, simplified payments saw the largest growth, with transaction volume and value increasing by 31.1 percent and 27.2 percent, respectively. Simplified remittances also grew, reaching 6.95 million cases and 969.23 billion won. While the daily value of transportation card usage edged up 1.2 percent to 13.85 billion won, the number of transactions fell 7.2 percent to 11.27 million. This decline is attributed to certain operators adjusting their data collection methods in 2025 to exclude "invalid tags," such as transit transfers. Reliance on simplified payment and remittance services—which utilize bio-authentication or simple passwords instead of public certificates—surged to a daily average of 35.57 million transactions (up 14.9 percent) and 1.11 trillion won (up 14.6 percent). The expanding influence of "Electronic Financial Business Operators," led by Toss and Kakao, is particularly striking. Their daily transaction volume surged 24.7 percent to 22.67 million, accounting for 64 percent of the total simplified payment volume. The market share of these online financial platforms remained relatively stable between 49 percent and 50 percent from 2022 to 2024. However, the 4.4 percentage points jump to 54.9 percent in 2025 (by value) represents an unusually rapid acceleration in their market dominance. 2026-03-20 11:55:50

BTS Live D-1: From waiting to Arirang, from Gwanghwamun to the world SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) -They are officially back as seven, with the drop of the fifth BTS full-member album ARIRANG on Friday. That simple fact is the emotional center of this comeback — bigger than chart numbers, bigger than spectacle, even bigger than the stage rising in central Seoul. After three years and nine months without a full-group album, BTS has returned with ARIRANG, carrying something both intimate and immense: the joy of reunion and the weight of time. The members said it plainly. They had prepared carefully because ARMY had waited so long. They felt excited, nervous and above all deeply moved. More than anything, they said, they were grateful simply to be able to do something together again as seven. Before it is an event, this comeback is a reunion. Yet BTS is not returning by repeating what came before. The fifth full-length album, ARIRANG, opens what the group calls “BTS 2.0” — a new chapter shaped as much by growth as by reunion. The title track “SWIM” captures that direction. Jimin described it as a message about continuing forward: there is pressure, there are doubts, but there is no stopping. It is not a return to shore. It is movement through water. That sense of motion runs through the album. The members said they focused on expanding genre, sound and vocal expression, even stepping into unfamiliar territory. Some tracks push rougher or more experimental textures, while others deliberately strip things back. Still, the guiding question remained simple, as SUGA put it: what is most like us? That question may explain the title. Arirang is one of the most resonant words in Korean culture — a song, a feeling, a shared memory of endurance and passage. For BTS, it becomes a bridge between identity and reinvention. Each member described “BTS 2.0” differently — a new beginning, growth, a new direction — but RM brought it into focus as balance: half is the meaning of being seven again, and half is the need to move forward. That balance also explains why they chose Gwanghwamun. Most artists would return in a stadium. BTS chose Gwanghwamun Square, the symbolic heart of Seoul. Framed by Gyeongbokgung Palace, it is a place where history, public life and national identity meet. That choice turns the comeback into more than a concert. It becomes a national narrative moment — where K-pop, cultural symbolism and public emotion converge. The space itself becomes part of the performance. Even before the music begins, the setting carries meaning. The decision to make the show free adds another layer. This is not a closed, ticketed return. It is open, in a public square. That changes the emotional contract. It makes the comeback feel communal rather than exclusive — less like a product launch, more like a gathering. For a group built on its connection with ARMY, the symbolism is clear: the first step back is outward. And yet the moment is not limited to Seoul. The Gwanghwamun performance will be livestreamed globally, allowing fans across the world to share the same moment. That duality — local and global, intimate and vast — has always defined BTS. Their rise was not a single explosion, but a steady accumulation. From their 2013 debut through years of gradual growth, from early tours to global chart dominance, BTS built momentum step by step. Even at their largest scale, they retained something direct — a closeness with fans that did not disappear as the stage expanded. That is why this reunion carries such weight. During the hiatus, each member pursued solo work, but the group itself never faded. If anything, the time apart clarified what BTS is: seven distinct artists whose meaning is strongest together. Jungkook recalled the process of listening to more than 100 demo tracks as a group — sometimes hearing each other’s work for the first time — as one of the most memorable parts of making the album. Jin said the members have grown closer. The atmosphere — the jokes, the laughter — remains unchanged. BTS 2.0, then, is not a break from who they were. It is a continuation, with more depth. The Gwanghwamun stage is also a beginning. It opens into a global tour and the so-called “BTSnomics 2.0,” where the group’s impact extends beyond concerts into platforms, digital content and a wider cultural economy. 2026-03-20 11:55:19

KOSPI defies broader trend as Asian markets decline amid oil-driven inflation fears SEOUL, March 20 (AJP) - Asian markets mostly fell on Friday, with South Korea's benchmark KOSPI the only major index to edge higher, as investors weighed rising oil prices against signs of easing tensions in the Middle East. Wall Street's three major indexes closed lower overnight but pared earlier losses, with the Dow Jones falling 0.44 percent and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq declining 0.27 percent and 0.28 percent, respectively. Markets initially came under pressure from a surge in oil prices triggered by retaliatory attacks on energy facilities in the Middle East, compounded by expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. Losses narrowed toward the day's trading close as U.S. officials signaled restraint on further escalation and made remarks aimed at stabilizing oil markets, prompting bargain hunting. The Fed's chair Jerome Powell reinforced a hawkish stance, indicating that rate cuts are unlikely unless inflation shows a clear and sustained decline, and saying that further rate hikes were discussed at the latest meeting. Oil prices remained a key overhang, with Brent crude surging more than 10 percent intraday and briefly nearing $120 per barrel after Iran's attack on an energy complex in Qatar heightened supply concerns. The spike fueled inflation fears and pushed U.S. Treasury yields higher, with the 2-year yield touching 3.96 percent before closing at 3.79 percent, up 5 basis points. But sentiment improved later in the session after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had lost the capability to enrich uranium or produce missiles, signaling that military objectives may have largely been achieved. His remarks, along with indications that further strikes on energy infrastructure would be avoided, helped limit losses. Sector-wise, mega-cap tech stocks broadly declined, with Tesla dropping 3.18 percent. In contrast, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor-related shares showed resilience, lifting the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index by 0.87 percent. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) fell 4.11 percent to 24.06, reflecting reduced immediate market stress despite ongoing uncertainty. In Asia, investor focus is shifting toward corporate earnings, particularly in semiconductors. Cautious guidance from Micron despite strong earnings has raised concerns over a potential peak in the memory cycle, which may weigh on regional chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in the near term. As of Friday morning, Samsung Electronics was unchanged at 200,500 won, while SK hynix rose 0.49 percent to 1,018,000 won. Investors are likely to remain sensitive to oil prices, as prolonged energy inflation could complicate the Fed's policy path to rate cuts and sustain volatility across global markets. Foreign investors have been net sellers on the KOSPI this year, offloading over 36 trillion won worth of shares. Some analysts, however, believe the sell-off may be nearing its end, pointing to improving earnings momentum, particularly in semiconductor sectors. Geopolitical risks from the Middle East and a sharply weaker won have been cited as key drivers of foreign outflows. Surging oil prices and a stronger U.S. dollar pushed the won past the 1,500 level against the greenback, further accelerating selling and market volatility. Pressure eased slightly as the won strengthened to 1,492.30 per dollar from a previous close of 1,501.3. As of 11:04 a.m., the KOSPI rose 0.48 percent to 5,790.78 points, and the junior KOSDAQ gained 1.60 percent to 1,161.80. But stocks traded mixed, with biopharmaceuticals, financials and energy shares leading gains while automakers and defense-related stocks lagged. In the energy and battery sector, LG Energy Solution gained 0.94 percent to 374,500 won and Doosan Enerbility advanced 2.45 percent to 108,900 won. Biopharmaceutical stocks showed strength, with Samsung Biologics climbing 2.27 percent to 1,621,000 won and Celltrion adding 0.50 percent to 203,000 won. Hyundai Motor was unchanged at 522,000 won, Kia edged down 0.12 percent to 170,300 won, and Hyundai Mobis fell 1.57 percent to 406,500 won. Defense and shipbuilding stocks were mixed, with Hanwha Aerospace dropping 3.78 percent to 1,323,000 won and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries slipping 0.53 percent to 564,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean rose 0.46 percent to 130,600 won. In the financial sector, KB Financial Group gained 0.64 percent to 156,700 won, Shinhan Financial Group rose 1.35 percent to 97,800 won, and Mirae Asset Securities jumped 3.90 percent to 69,300 won, though Samsung Life Insurance fell 2.60 percent to 224,500 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 3.38 percent to 53,372.53 amid geopolitical uncertainty, as U.S. President Donald Trump urged Japan to take a more active military role including support in the Strait of Hormuz during a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Washington, D.C. But she said that there are actions Japan can and cannot take "within the limits of Japanese law." Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.59 percent to 25,349.29, China's Shanghai Composite slipped 0.17 percent to 3,999.54 and Taiwan's Taiex Index edged down 0.10 percent to 33,655.23. 2026-03-20 11:52:40

Road Closures Begin at 9 p.m. Ahead of BTS Comeback Show at Gwanghwamun "Starting at 9 tonight, everything will be closed except for two lanes. Stage installation will continue. Seating will be set up across all areas except those two lanes. Eight large LED screens will also be installed," said Kim Jong-gi, head of HYBE’s Policy Operations Center. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young visited the Gwanghwamun area on March 20 to check preparations and the safety management system for BTS’ comeback concert. He also inspected the ministry’s situation management headquarters set up at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. With as many as 260,000 people expected to gather around Gwanghwamun and the Gyeongbokgung area on the day of the concert, Choi urged organizers and relevant agencies to coordinate closely to ensure a safe environment for attendees. Kim said the stage backdrop will effectively be Gwanghwamun Gate and the palace wall, adding that lighting for a facade will be installed behind the pillar on the right side of the stage. He emphasized that special efforts are being made to protect cultural heritage. Choi also stressed a hard line against ticket scalping. "Even if you bought a scalped ticket, we will block it through various measures, including ID checks," he said. He added that transferring wristbands would also be stopped, including by using hand stamps to prevent entry, and reiterated that scalped tickets would not get people into the venue. "Scalped tickets are 100% a scam," Choi said. "People should never buy them. You will end up disappointed at the site." Choi then visited the ministry’s situation management headquarters at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History to review overall crisis-response plans. To strengthen safety readiness, the ministry will issue a ‘caution’ level disaster alert for concert venues in Seoul’s Jung and Jongno districts from 7 a.m. March 21 to 7 a.m. March 22. It is the first time the ministry has issued a crisis alert specifically for concert-venue disasters. Choi asked staff whether anything more was needed, saying the work environment must not be lacking to maintain focus and that supplies should be well stocked. He also visited HYBE’s safety management headquarters next to the ministry’s situation room and asked it to work closely with the ministry to ensure the concert ends smoothly. "This concert will be a highly symbolic moment to showcase the appeal of K-culture to people around the world," Choi said. "The government is working with relevant ministries to review crowd-management measures and venue safety rules and to prepare for all possible situations." "What matters most for a successful performance is safety," he said, calling for public cooperation so the concert can be held safely based on mature civic awareness. 2026-03-20 11:36:21