Police officers inspect areas in central Seoul, Wednesday, where BTS will hold its comeback concert on March 21. Yonhap
Authorities will restrict access to 31 buildings near Gwanghwamun Square before a full-group comeback concert by BTS on March 21, seeking to prevent unauthorized rooftop viewing and possible safety hazards.
With crowds of up to 260,000 expected on the day of the concert, the restrictions reflect police plans for strict security amid safety concerns over the massive gathering and heightened global security concerns, including the possibility of a terror attack linked to intensifying tensions in the Middle East.
According to Korean media reports Sunday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and police designated 31 buildings near Gwanghwamun Square as priority monitoring sites and are coordinating safety measures with building managers.
Last week, police reportedly asked managers of six buildings directly adjacent to the square to close front entrances the day of the concert and allow access only through rear entrances to prevent spectators from bypassing the area’s 31 official access points and reaching the concert site without authorization.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has also called on 25 other nearby buildings to restrict access to rooftops and upper floors to prevent possible accidents from ticketless fans attempting to watch from rooftops or balconies.
City officials have been visiting sites in the area since last week to check whether buildings have automatic rooftop opening systems and to coordinate tailored measures for each property. Fire safety rules bar fully closing rooftops without automatic systems because they must remain available as emergency evacuation routes.
A city official said the measures aim to prevent accidents such as people falling or objects being thrown into the audience.
On March 20, BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” marking the first full-group comeback in nearly four years. The following evening, the band will hold a live concert at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, which will be streamed on Netflix in about 190 countries worldwide.