Around 40,000 fans gathered in central Seoul on Saturday to watch K-pop group BTS return to the stage after a four-year hiatus, prompting authorities to enforce heightened security measures, Yonhap reports.
The seven-member group began their performance at 8 p.m. at Gwanghwamun Square, with police estimating attendance between 40,000 and 42,000 people.
Large Crowds Fill City Centre
The venue included about 22,000 standing places stretching from Gwanghwamun Square to Seoul City Hall. Additional fans watched the concert on large outdoor screens mounted on nearby buildings, while others gathered around the area to catch a glimpse of the performance.
With visitors arriving from across the world, authorities deployed around 15,000 safety personnel, including roughly 6,700 police officers, to manage the crowds.
Tight Security and Traffic Controls
Traffic restrictions were expanded, with vehicle access to the main road near the square blocked from Friday night and surrounding roads limited from Saturday afternoon until 11 p.m.
Public transport services were also adjusted. Trains bypassed Gwanghwamun Station from 2 p.m., while City Hall Station and Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 were skipped from 3 p.m., with normal service resuming after 10 p.m.
Officials established an on-site control centre at a nearby government complex to monitor crowd conditions in real time. Police commandos inspected the stage area, while security personnel were stationed throughout the venue.
Crowd Control and Safety Measures
A fenced crowd management zone measuring 200 metres wide and 1.2 kilometres long was created, with access through 31 entry points equipped with metal detectors.
Police said individuals without identification could be asked to provide personal details or fingerprints. Authorities also raised the terror alert level for the area to the second-lowest tier and deployed specialised units to monitor potential threats.
As a precaution, licensed gun owners were temporarily restricted from accessing firearms, which are typically stored at local police stations in South Korea.
Subway locker services at 17 stations across Seoul were suspended over security concerns.
Emergency services set up three medical stations near the venue, while organisers operated an additional 11 medical booths to assist attendees.
