Seoul Police Step Up Ticket Fraud Crackdown, Crowd Plans for BTS Gwanghwamun Show

Police are tightening measures to prevent ticket scams and manage crowds ahead of BTS’ concert set for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. With as many as 260,000 people — including foreign tourists — expected to gather, authorities said they will focus on safety.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jeong-bo said at a regular news briefing on Feb. 23 that police are “continuously monitoring” crimes that could arise around ticket sales. He said police have asked platforms to delete or block 34 posts so far, including listings for proxy purchases and resales.

Police said offers online for ticket proxy buying or high-priced resales are likely to be scams. Park warned of possible secondary harm, saying scammers may steal and misuse personal information under the guise of proxy purchasing, and urged consumers to be cautious. Police also plan to prepare for illegal bookings using macros and scalping, as well as potential crimes on the day of the event, including sex crimes and theft.

For crowd control, police will use a “stadium-style” approach. The event area will be divided into four zones by risk level — core, hot, warm and cold — and density will be managed through 29 entry routes. Crowd-control lines will also be installed by zone based on expected movement.

Traffic restrictions are also being finalized. The agency has asked Seoul Metro to consider having trains pass through three nearby stations — Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung and City Hall — without stopping. On the day of the concert, phased traffic controls will be imposed on major roads including Sejong-daero, Saemunan-ro, Jongno, Sajik-ro and Yulgok-ro.

Park said a midterm safety review meeting on Feb. 20 rechecked overall preparations. “We will concentrate available personnel with public safety as the top priority,” he said.