Woman Carrying Self-Defense Spray Detained at BTS Concert Security Check

▲ Metal detectors are installed at an entrance to Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 20, 2026, ahead of BTS’ free concert “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG,” celebrating the release of their fifth studio album Arirang. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- A woman in her 50s was briefly questioned by police on Saturday after carrying a gas spray device near Gwanghwamun, where a comeback concert by BTS was held.

According to Yonhap's exclusive sources, police discovered a gas spray and a stun device on a 53-year-old woman, identified as A, at around 5:23 p.m. at a metal detector checkpoint near the Kyobo Life Insurance building in Jongno District. She was taken to a nearby police substation for questioning.

During the investigation, the woman stated that she carried the items out of concern for her personal safety due to private circumstances.

Police confirmed that the gas spray was a self-defense product and released her. The stun device was also found to be legal, with an effective current of less than 10mA, meaning it could be carried without a permit.

Earlier in the day, a chef was stopped at a checkpoint for carrying a kitchen knife. Authorities verified the individual’s identity and profession after the item was detected by a metal detector.

In another incident, a group attempting to pass through security with a fruit knife in a backpack was blocked by police. They reportedly argued that they carried it only to cut fruit.

For the concert, security measures were tightened across a 1.2-kilometer north-south stretch—from across the Gwanghwamun Woldae to City Hall Station—and 200 meters east to west. A total of 31 checkpoints equipped with metal detectors were installed throughout the area.

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