Seoul: Police said Wednesday they will set up a crowd control zone with a capacity of 100,000 people around the stage where K-pop group BTS will perform in central Seoul this weekend. The measure aims to ensure safety during the highly anticipated event at Gwanghwamun Square, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the zone will be organized so that no more than one person occupies every square meter. This strategy underscores the priority of safety during the concert. An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police emphasized the importance of these precautions in light of previous incidents, particularly recalling the Itaewon tragedy in 2022 that resulted in 159 deaths.
Police are preparing for an estimated crowd of around 260,000 people, which would be the largest since the 2002 World Cup when up to 250,000 people gathered in the streets. To manage this influx, random checkpoints will be conducted, and a significant police presence will be ensured with 72 teams of riot police and 35 teams of detectives deployed in the area.
Concert-goers entering the designated crowd control zone will be required to pass through metal detectors and undergo searches for hazardous materials. The official stated that these measures are in place to create the safest conditions possible for an event of this magnitude, especially as it takes place in an open downtown area accessible to everyone.