SEOUL, March 21 (AJP) -BTS, the English acronym for Bangtan Sonyeondan — “bulletproof” — will return to the stage in a city determined to live up to the name.
Seoul authorities are moving to ensure that the group’s largest-ever crowd show at Gwanghwamun ends, quite literally, bulletproof.
Security has been dialed up to an extraordinary level, shaped by the lingering trauma of the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush and rising geopolitical risks, from Middle East tensions to the persistent threat posed by North Korea, with which South Korea remains technically at war.
Police estimate up to 260,000 people could gather between Gwanghwamun and Sungnyemun — exceeding the scale of the 2002 World Cup street rallies and the 2014 visit by Pope Francis — with a significant influx of foreign fans adding to both the energy and complexity of the event.
More than 6,700 police officers, including 72 mobile units and 35 investigative teams, are being deployed, supported by 8,200 personnel from city authorities, fire services and organizers.
A 1.2-kilometer stretch from across Gwanghwamun Woldae to City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2 — about 200 meters wide — was encircled by fencing, effectively sealing off the plaza.
To pass through, visitors had to enter via 31 designated gates lined along the perimeter, each equipped with walk-through metal detectors.
Police on-site conducted physical and belongings checks, with a large number of female officers deployed in consideration of the predominantly female BTS fan base, known as ARMY. Under the tight controls, some fans who had arrived from early morning were seen circling the area, unable to secure a spot inside.
The security architecture is deliberately layered. Five major roads and 15 side streets will be sealed off with triple barricades using police buses and barriers to prevent vehicle-ramming attacks. Around the main stage, access will be tightly controlled with multiple rings of fencing creating a near-sterile zone.
Authorities have divided the area into 15 sectors, each led by a senior police commander, establishing a clear chain of control.
Entry will be funneled through 31 designated gates equipped with metal detectors from early morning. Armed officers will be stationed inside, while additional checks using some 300 portable scanners will be conducted outside. Those without identification may be subject to fingerprint verification.
Technology forms a critical layer of defense. High-elevation observation vehicles capable of rising more than 8 meters will scan dense crowd zones, with cameras offering up to 30x zoom. Police will also deploy counter-drone systems, including jamming guns to disable unauthorized aerial devices.
Only approved drones — such as those used for official monitoring — will be allowed to operate. Access to 31 nearby buildings will be restricted to prevent unauthorized rooftop viewing or entry. Even partial exceptions, including a scheduled wedding at the Korea Press Center, will face additional screening.
Subway lockers at 17 major stations — including Gwanghwamun, City Hall and Seoul Station — will be temporarily closed through early March 22 to eliminate potential concealment risks.
The operation is equally focused on preventing crowd accidents. Authorities are modeling the area as a controlled stadium, with defined entry gates and movement corridors. Seven mobile patrol units, including foreign affairs teams, will assist international visitors and manage risks.
Emergency response capacity has been expanded. On-site medical clinics will operate near key landmarks, while 102 fire vehicles and multiple medical booths will remain on standby.
For Seoul, the event is more than a concert. It is a stress test of its ability to host a massive, open urban gathering in a period of elevated global risk — balancing celebration with control, openness with vigilance. This time, the goal is clear: to make the spectacle unforgettable, and the system invisible.
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