SEOUL, February 04 (AJP) - As visitor numbers are expected to rise ahead of BTS’s comeback in March, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun reviewing comprehensive measures, including crowd safety management and a crackdown on price gouging.
On Wednesday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon chaired a meeting at 10 a.m. to review key issues surrounding the BTS comeback event and discuss measures to ensure public safety and welcome global fans.
During the meeting, officials reviewed event safety plans to ensure that both residents and international visitors can enjoy the city safely. Measures to minimize potential inconvenience for foreign tourists using accommodation facilities, curb price gouging at traditional markets, and expand entertainment offerings such as performances and exhibitions were also discussed.
With large crowds expected at key locations such as Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul Plaza, comprehensive safety management measures will be implemented. These include strengthening reviews of safety plans through expert consultations and dividing the main event areas into smaller zones to prevent crowd-related risks.
Event organizers will deploy sufficient safety personnel in line with expected crowd sizes, positioning them at venues and other areas around event sites where large crowds are anticipated.
The city will also step up monitoring crowd movements. Using real-time urban data and CCTV systems from the city’s disaster and safety control center, officials will closely track crowd density. On-site conditions will be shared with event organizers and relevant agencies, including police, fire authorities and district offices—to enable immediate responses based on risk levels.
On the day of the concert, the city will implement safety measures tailored to each stage of the event. Before and after the performance, crowd flows will be guided to prevent congestion and ensure smooth entry and exit, while additional steps will be taken during the show to avoid overcrowding in specific areas. Firefighters, emergency personnel and vehicles will be deployed, and emergency routes will be secured in preparation for potential incidents.
Transportation measures will also be introduced, including the possibility of subway trains passing through nearby stations without stopping and bus route diversions due to road controls. Additional on-site safety steps include securing sufficient restroom facilities, suspending rentals of the city’s bike-sharing service and shared personal mobility devices to ensure pedestrian safety, and cracking down on illegal street vendors and illegal parking. Multilingual safety messages will also be displayed on stage screens and electronic boards at Seoul Plaza.
To prevent harm to both foreign visitors and residents, the city will step up efforts to curb unfair business practices. Joint inspections with district offices will focus on compliance with accommodation price display rules and on cracking down on practices such as pressuring guests to cancel reservations.
To stabilize accommodation prices, the city plans to work with online travel agencies through industry meetings and cooperate with related organizations, including the Korea Hotel Association and the Seoul Tourism Association. To help disperse demand, accommodation-dense areas outside Jongno and Jung districts will be promoted through the Visit Seoul website. The city will also conduct on-site inspections using undercover inspectors posing as customers to crack down on price gouging and other unfair trade practices.
The city officials will also create a festive atmosphere that both domestic and international visitors can enjoy. Streets and public spaces across Seoul will be decorated to welcome global fans, alongside a range of tourism and hands-on experience programs. Around the time of the BTS performance, street performances, random dance festivals and other programs will be held at major locations such as Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul Plaza and Han River parks.
It also plans to offer special experiential events for global fans and residents, including unique programs using the Han River bus.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon said that holding BTS’s comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, in the heart of Seoul, presents a prime opportunity to showcase the city’s appeal as a global cultural capital to the world. He added that the city will take a comprehensive approach—covering crowd safety, price gouging and entertainment offerings—to make Seoul a truly global tourism destination that people from around the world can enjoy.
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