Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will deploy 6,500 officers and 5,400 pieces of equipment for BTS's free concert "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG" at Gwanghwamun Square on June 21.
The police announced Thursday they will implement comprehensive safety measures, mobilizing maximum available personnel and equipment for the event at Gwanghwamun Square and Sejong-daero.
Officers from over 70 riot police units, traffic control, crime prevention, criminal investigation, and special operations divisions will be deployed. Advanced equipment including aerial observation vehicles, broadcast lighting vehicles, and foldable fences will support crowd management, traffic control, and counter-terrorism operations.
Police anticipate up to 260,000 spectators and will implement a "stadium-style crowd management system." Attendees must enter through 31 designated gates to ensure systematic crowd dispersal and safety management.
On June 13, police met with security officials from six large buildings adjacent to the venue, along with Seoul city and Jongno-gu and Jung-gu district officials, to discuss building access, rooftop closures, and joint entry control measures.
Gates will be closed when crowd density exceeds two people per square meter. On-site monitoring teams will be stationed at key locations around the venue in addition to CCTV surveillance.
The venue area will be divided into four zones: "core zone," "hot zone," "warm zone," and "cold zone," further subdivided into 15 sectors. Senior superintendent-level officers will oversee each sector.
The core zone, where standing and reserved seating areas are located, will be enclosed by fences for intensive crowd management. The hot zone from Gwanghwamun to City Hall Station will restrict pedestrian and vehicle movement. The warm zone in outer areas will allow limited movement and temporary stays.
Police are also preparing for potential terrorism including vehicle ramming and explosives. Spike strips, sign board vehicles, barricades, and police buses will be deployed around the venue. Citing concerns over potential domestic terrorism amid deteriorating international situations including Middle East tensions, walk-through metal detectors will be installed at 30 entry points. Screening begins at 7 a.m. on June 21, with handheld scanners used for those already inside the gates before that time.
If explosive threats are reported, attendees will be guided along evacuation routes prepared by organizers while safety inspections are conducted. Detective teams will also be stationed around the venue to respond to potential knife attacks or other random violence crimes.
Major roads around Gwanghwamun will be closed. Sejong-daero from Gwanghwamun intersection to City Hall intersection will be closed for 33 hours from 9 p.m. on June 20 to 6 a.m. on June 22. Sajik-ro and Yulgok-ro from Jeokseon intersection to Dongsipja intersection will be closed from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on June 21. Saemoonan-ro and Jongno from Four Seasons Hotel to Seorin intersection will be closed from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on June 21.
Emergency vehicle lanes will be designated on closed roads: one westbound lane and two eastbound lanes on Sajik-ro and Yulgok-ro, two northbound lanes on Sejong-daero, and central bus-only lanes in both directions on Jongno and Saemoonan-ro.
If crowds become critically dense, traffic control will expand to include Sajik Park, Dongnimmun, Seodaemun, National Police Agency, Sungnyemun, Hoehyeon, Euljiro 2-ga, Jongno 2-ga, and Anguk Station intersections.
Subway stations expected to see heavy post-concert crowds, including Euljiro-ipgu, Jonggak, and Anguk stations, may implement non-stop service if necessary based on congestion levels.
