▲ Police stand guard around the stage for a free concert by K-pop group BTS at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 16, 2026, before the group stages its comeback concert at 8 p.m. on March 21. (Yonhap)

BTS concert-cybersecurity measures

Gov't, Hybe establish cybersecurity hotline to prepare against BTS-related online threats

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- The government has set up an emergency communication hotline with Hybe, the entertainment agency of global K-pop sensation BTS, ahead of the group's comeback concert this week to boost cybersecurity readiness, according to officials Friday.

The Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and Hybe have set up the three-way communication channel to jointly address potential cybersecurity attacks during the concert to be held at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Saturday, according to the authorities.

Police expect around 260,000 people to gather in the area stretching from the square to Sungnyemun Gate, the largest number since the 2002 World Cup, when up to 250,000 people cheered in the streets. The event will be aired on the global streaming service Netflix.

KISA will monitor 37 websites related to the event, including those of the agency, around the clock to inspect for security vulnerabilities and provide technical support to ensure stable operations and prevent threats, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

Officials from the science ministry will be deployed at the venue to support emergency communication systems.

On Wednesday, Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said the government will spare no effort to maintain a stable telecommunications environment during the concert, installing 18 mobile base stations at the venue with mobile carriers and Netflix.

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