Seoul will implement sweeping traffic controls around Gwanghwamun Square on June 21 as K-pop group BTS stages its comeback concert, with authorities expecting record-breaking crowds.
The city and police have enforced extensive restrictions across the downtown area since early morning for the concert, which begins at 8 p.m. Major roads will be closed, key subway stations will operate without stopping, and city buses will be rerouted simultaneously.
Sejong-daero, the main thoroughfare between Gwanghwamun and City Hall, faces the longest restrictions. Vehicle traffic will be completely banned for 33 hours from 9 p.m. on June 20 until 6 a.m. on June 22. Sajik-ro and Yulgok-ro will be closed from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., while Saemunan-ro and the Gwanghwamun underpass will be restricted from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Subway service will see major disruptions. Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2), and Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) will close entirely and trains will pass through without stopping to prevent safety incidents from overcrowding. Partial entrance closures begin at 5 a.m., with all 29 entrances shut by 2-3 p.m.
Gwanghwamun Station will operate non-stop from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., while Gyeongbokgung and City Hall stations will do so from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Neighboring stations may also skip stops depending on congestion levels. Passengers must exit at alternative stations and walk. Normal service resumes at 10 p.m. when the concert ends.
A total of 86 bus routes, including village and Gyeonggi Province lines, have been rerouted. The Gwanghwamun Station bus-only lane stop has been skipped since the first bus of the day at police request. Sejong-daero routes began detours the previous night, while Sajik-ro and Saemunan-ro routes follow revised schedules from 4 p.m. Bus service normalizes at 11 p.m.
Shared mobility services are also suspended to manage pedestrian crowds. All 58 Ttareungi public bike stations with 692 docking spaces within 1 kilometer of the venue, along with seven electric scooter operators, will halt operations until 9 a.m. on June 22. Enforcement vehicles will patrol from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., immediately issuing fines and towing illegally parked vehicles under a zero-tolerance policy.
Seoul Metro will deploy 12 additional empty trains on Lines 2, 3, and 5 starting at 9 p.m., adding 24 extra runs to help concertgoers return home safely.
Real-time information on subway non-stops and bus detours will be available through Naver Map and KakaoMap. Multilingual announcements in six languages including English, Japanese, and Chinese will be provided at 17 major stations for foreign tourists.
Media facade displays at Sungnyemun Gate and other downtown landmarks are heightening the festive atmosphere ahead of BTS's new album "ARIRANG" release. The city urged commuters to check detour information through the Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service (TOPIS) before using public transportation.