Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young visited Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul's Jongno District on the morning of June 20 to inspect preparations and safety measures for BTS's comeback concert.
"Even if someone claims to have obtained scalped tickets, we are conducting ID checks and various other measures here at Gwanghwamun Square," Choi said. "Even if scalpers say 'you can get in,' it's highly likely to be fraud. You absolutely must not buy scalped tickets. Anyone claiming to sell scalped tickets is committing fraud."
A HYBE official accompanying the minister confirmed the anti-scalping measures. "We verify identity through QR codes, then staff personally attach wristbands and stamp hands with special ink," the official said. "We have multiple layers of scalping prevention. Entry with scalped tickets is absolutely impossible."
With amended performance laws taking effect in August that will ban all ticket scalping and impose fines up to 50 times the ticket price on violators, this BTS concert is likely to serve as a test case. Choi previously stated he would work closely with relevant agencies and industry to make this concert "a model case for future anti-scalping measures."
After touring the Gwanghwamun Square stage and the Gwanghwamun Woldae platform, Choi said, "This concert will be a highly symbolic moment to showcase the appeal of K-culture to the world." He added, "The government is preparing for all possible situations by reviewing crowd management measures and venue safety protocols. We absolutely need citizens' cooperation."
The minister also visited the Korea History Museum, where the Ministry of Culture's situation management headquarters and HYBE's operations room are located, to inspect reporting and command systems for rapid response to emergencies.
On June 19, Korea Heritage Service Administrator Heo Min conducted safety inspections at Gwanghwamun Gate near the BTS stage and Sungnyemun Gate, where a media facade event will be held.
"Beyond ensuring spectator safety, there is also the possibility of graffiti or damage to cultural heritage sites like Gwanghwamun, the walls, and Woldae due to large crowds," Heo said. "We ask for cooperation through orderly viewing and mature civic awareness."
Heo emphasized finding ways to draw global attention to Korean cultural heritage. "It's overwhelming to think we're showing K-Heritage to the world," he said. "Frankly, we need more preparation for after the BTS concert. We will survey visitors' opinions and work to develop better cultural heritage promotion strategies."
The Ministry of Culture announced on June 20 that it would issue a "Caution" level disaster alert for concert venues under the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management. The alert covers Jongno and Jung districts in Seoul from 7 a.m. on June 21 to 7 a.m. on June 22. This marks the first time the ministry has issued a disaster alert for a concert venue. The ministry said it expects between 170,000 and 260,000 spectators to gather around Gwanghwamun.
The Korea Heritage Service will close Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung palaces on June 21. Evening tours of Deoksugung (6-9 p.m.) will also be suspended on June 20 due to the Sungnyemun media facade event. The National Palace Museum, National Folk Museum, and National Museum of Korean Contemporary History near Gwanghwamun Square will also close on June 21.
