"Starting at 9 tonight, everything will be closed except for two lanes. Stage installation will continue. Seating will be set up across all areas except those two lanes. Eight large LED screens will also be installed," said Kim Jong-gi, head of HYBE’s Policy Operations Center.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young visited the Gwanghwamun area on March 20 to check preparations and the safety management system for BTS’ comeback concert. He also inspected the ministry’s situation management headquarters set up at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History.
With as many as 260,000 people expected to gather around Gwanghwamun and the Gyeongbokgung area on the day of the concert, Choi urged organizers and relevant agencies to coordinate closely to ensure a safe environment for attendees.
Kim said the stage backdrop will effectively be Gwanghwamun Gate and the palace wall, adding that lighting for a facade will be installed behind the pillar on the right side of the stage. He emphasized that special efforts are being made to protect cultural heritage.
Choi also stressed a hard line against ticket scalping. "Even if you bought a scalped ticket, we will block it through various measures, including ID checks," he said. He added that transferring wristbands would also be stopped, including by using hand stamps to prevent entry, and reiterated that scalped tickets would not get people into the venue.
"Scalped tickets are 100% a scam," Choi said. "People should never buy them. You will end up disappointed at the site."
Choi then visited the ministry’s situation management headquarters at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History to review overall crisis-response plans. To strengthen safety readiness, the ministry will issue a ‘caution’ level disaster alert for concert venues in Seoul’s Jung and Jongno districts from 7 a.m. March 21 to 7 a.m. March 22. It is the first time the ministry has issued a crisis alert specifically for concert-venue disasters.
Choi asked staff whether anything more was needed, saying the work environment must not be lacking to maintain focus and that supplies should be well stocked.
He also visited HYBE’s safety management headquarters next to the ministry’s situation room and asked it to work closely with the ministry to ensure the concert ends smoothly.
"This concert will be a highly symbolic moment to showcase the appeal of K-culture to people around the world," Choi said. "The government is working with relevant ministries to review crowd-management measures and venue safety rules and to prepare for all possible situations."
"What matters most for a successful performance is safety," he said, calling for public cooperation so the concert can be held safely based on mature civic awareness.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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