(LEAD) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert

▲ Preparations are under way for K-pop group BTS' comeback concert in central Seoul on March 19, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ Preparations are under way for K-pop group BTS' comeback concert in central Seoul on March 19, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) BTS concert-security

(LEAD) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert

(ATTN: UPDATES with fans' quotes; RECASTS headline, first 2 paras; ADDS byline)

By Chae Yun-hwan and Kim Seong-hun

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Hundreds of thousands are expected to gather in downtown Seoul this weekend when K-pop group BTS makes its long-awaited comeback, placing authorities on high alert for crowd control and safety measures, officials said Friday.

BTS is set to perform at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday to mark its return after a four-year hiatus, with up to 260,000 people, including 22,000 ticket holders, expected to fill an area stretching from the square to Sungnye Gate, over a kilometer away.

It would mark one of the largest crowds in the area since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, when around 200,000 to 250,000 people gathered to cheer for the home team.

As fans and visitors flock from across the world, authorities have strengthened security measures, with plans to deploy about 15,000 personnel for safety management, including some 6,700 police officers.

Many of the K-pop septet's fans, known as ARMY, were already around the area Friday, including Charlene West from Florida, who has visited the country every year since a 2022 BTS concert in the southeastern city of Busan.

"After the concert, I started coming once a year to do BTS-related things," said the 65-year-old retired Navy service member, who plans to get as close as possible to the stage despite not having a ticket.

The area is also expected to be crowded with other tourists, such as Jessica Neilson, a 36-year-old from Australia, who plans to enjoy the concert from a distance.

"We actually booked our holiday ... before they announced (the concert) so it was good timing," she said. "We might come in the area just to check it out ... it'll be too crazy around here, so probably further back a bit."

Concertgoers will have to go through metal detectors to enter the concert area, with police planning further checks. Those without identification could be asked for their resident registration numbers or fingerprints.

Police also plan to install triple-layer barricades around the site and operate special tactical units against potential terror threats.

Traffic near the area will be restricted, with subways scheduled to pass Gwanghwamun, Seoul City Hall and Gyeongbokgung stations without stopping from 2 p.m. Saturday until after the concert at 10 p.m.

Subway lockers at 17 stations, including Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung, will not be available on Saturday out of concerns of possible terror activity.

Rescue authorities plan to set up three medical stations near the concert site, while concert organizers plan to separately operate 11 medical booths.

(END)

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