Police Brace for BTS Concert as Private Events Strain Public Resources

K-pop group BTS will hold a free concert titled "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE｜ARIRANG" at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on June 21, prompting police to deploy special forces units to manage an expected crowd of up to 260,000 people.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will station 13 violent crimes units from nine district police stations and deploy special weapons teams for explosive detection and suspicious person screening. A dedicated cyber investigation team will monitor online platforms for potential bomb threats.

The deployment has sparked internal debate within the police force over the extensive use of public resources for a private corporate event. While the concert is free, it serves promotional purposes for Hybe, BTS's management company.

"This is an unprecedented situation—holding a concert by a popular idol group in a completely open space like Gwanghwamun," a police source said. Unlike enclosed venues such as Jamsil Olympic Stadium, the open-air location raises significant safety concerns.

Hybe has secured 3,553 security personnel, but Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jung-bo indicated additional staffing may be required based on crowd projections.

Some argue that BTS's global popularity justifies police support for national prestige. However, officers express concern about bearing full responsibility should any incident occur with 260,000 attendees.

The burden extends beyond high-profile concerts. According to data obtained by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-sik of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, Seoul hosted 90 running events last year—five times the 18 events held in 2022. This month alone, approximately 20 marathons are scheduled in central Seoul. Related complaints rose from 43 in 2022 to 101 in 2024.

"Events are being held indiscriminately, and police are being deployed indiscriminately," said one traffic division officer at a Seoul district station. "Officers exhausted from weekday duties cannot rest properly on weekends. We cannot let our guard down because any casualties from misjudgment would likely fall on police responsibility."

Another officer said, "As a citizen, I welcome BTS's comeback with open arms—they've elevated our nation's standing. But from a police perspective, it's not welcome news. Holding an event in a completely open venue is inevitably burdensome."