Seoul: Police announced on Wednesday the establishment of a crowd control zone with a capacity of 100,000 people around the venue where K-pop sensation BTS is set to perform in central Seoul this weekend.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the zone will ensure that no more than one person occupies each square meter, prioritizing safety during the concert scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Saturday at Gwanghwamun Square. An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police highlighted the importance of safety measures, drawing on lessons from past events.
Authorities anticipate approximately 260,000 people to gather from the square to Sungnye Gate, marking the largest assembly since the 2002 World Cup when up to 250,000 individuals celebrated in the streets. To maintain security, random checkpoints will be implemented, and 72 riot police teams along with 35 detective teams will be stationed in the area.
Concertgoers entering the crowd control zone will be required to pass through metal detectors and submit to searches for hazardous materials. "We decided to create the safest conditions possible given the nature of the event that can be attended by anyone in an open downtown area, and memories of the Itaewon tragedy," the police official stated, referencing the 2022 crowd crush that resulted in 159 fatalities.
In parallel, the Seoul city government is setting up an on-site headquarters near Gwanghwamun Square from 10 a.m. on Saturday. This will include officials from the interior ministry, local ward offices, and police and fire authorities. Approximately 8,200 personnel will be mobilized to ensure real-time safety monitoring, as per the metropolitan government.
To prepare for potential incidents, medical booths will be positioned in three distinct zones, and safety fences will be erected in high-risk areas around Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggye Plaza. The city has also arranged for 2,551 toilet facilities near the concert site.
For international attendees, the city plans to enhance language services at the call center in English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian, and will deploy volunteers and interpreters to assist throughout the event.
Source: Yonhap News Agency