BTS Comeback D-6: Police brace for massive crowds with heightened security

by Joonha Yoo Posted : March 15, 2026, 15:51Updated : March 15, 2026, 16:08
A billboard ad for K-pop boy band BTS upcoming concert is seen in front of Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 11 2026 Yonhap
A billboard ad for K-pop boy band BTS' upcoming concert is seen in front of Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 11, 2026. Yonhap
SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - With less than a week left before K-pop juggernaut BTS' massive comeback concert, security at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul will be heightened, with over 6,500 officers mobilized as part of a set of safety measures, police said on Sunday.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, all available personnel will be deployed to the concert venue and surrounding areas to manage traffic, prevent crimes, and maintain safety, along with more than 5,400 pieces of security equipment.

These measures come after a meeting last Friday between police, security managers of large buildings near the venue, and local government officials to discuss building access, rooftop closures, and other safety arrangements.

As hundreds of thousands of people including foreign visitors are expected to pack the area this Saturday, police will manage crowds through about 31 gates to disperse them and use metal detectors to stop anyone carrying dangerous items from entering the venue.

If crowds become too dense, these gates will be temporarily closed. Police will monitor the area in real time through CCTV and on-site inspections. They will also remain on alert for potential vehicle attacks or explosive threats. Visitors will be asked to cooperate with safety checks and are encouraged to carry minimal personal belongings to speed up entry.

After the concert, authorities will help disperse crowds gradually to nearby subway stations and will also be prepared with evacuation plans. Police are also preparing for the possibility of concertgoers and other revelers moving to nearby tourist spots such as Itaewon and Seongsu-dong for post-concert gatherings.
 
Posters of K-pop boy band BTS are displayed at a store in central Seoul on March 15 2026 Yonhap
Posters of K-pop boy band BTS are displayed at a store in central Seoul on March 15, 2026. Yonhap
Traffic around Gwanghwamun will be restricted before and after the concert. The main thoroughfare in front of the statue of admiral Yi Sun-shin, the renowned South Korean naval hero of the Joseon Dynasty, will be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Sunday, with emergency lanes remaining open for urgent vehicles.

Details on traffic information and alternate routes can be obtained by calling 120 or other police hotlines.