Gwanghwamun Square Prepares for a Sea of ARMY: BTS Concert Anticipation
Seoul’s iconic Gwanghwamun Square is bracing for a significant influx of BTS fans, known collectively as ARMY, as anticipation builds for the group’s free concert, “BTS The Comeback Live — Arirang,” scheduled for March 21st. The event is expected to draw a massive crowd, with many ticketless fans planning to camp out in the square days in advance to secure prime viewing spots.
The Challenge of Legal Limitations
Despite the potential for large-scale encampment, Seoul Metropolitan Government faces legal hurdles in preventing fans from gathering. Current Korean law restricts authorities from forcibly dispersing individuals occupying public spaces like sidewalks solely for the purpose of waiting for an event, as long as they don’t obstruct roadways. This means that simply waiting isn’t considered an illegal assembly, limiting law enforcement to basic crowd control.
“Although we can impose a fine for unauthorized occupation, there is no legal basis unless it is an illegal act or a case that causes damage to other pedestrians,” explained a city official. “We can only maintain basic order and guide crowd movement.”
Echoes of Past Events & International Precedents
This situation isn’t entirely new. Similar scenes have unfolded at previous BTS performances globally. For example, fans camped for four to five days prior to the group’s October 2018 concert at Citi Field in New York. In that instance, local police were limited to providing perimeter security around the established encampments. This experience is informing the current planning process in Seoul.
Enhanced Safety Measures & Government Response
The concert organizer, HYBE, submitted an event safety management plan on Tuesday, which is currently under review by Seoul city government and police. Following the review, supplementary crowd control measures will be established. The scale of this event is unprecedented, prompting a high-level response from the central government.
Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung will lead an emergency meeting on March 11th, bringing together representatives from the culture, health, and transport ministries, as well as Seoul city government and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. A joint government safety team will be deployed to the venue from March 19th to 20th, culminating in a final on-site inspection by Minister Yun on the morning of the concert.
A Testament to BTS’s Global Popularity
With all 15,000 tickets selling out immediately upon release on February 23rd and nearby hotels fully booked, the planned encampment at Gwanghwamun Square underscores the immense popularity of BTS and the dedication of their fanbase. The situation highlights the logistical challenges of managing large-scale events in the age of K-Pop’s global dominance. You can find more information about BTS and their impact on global culture at Billboard’s K-Pop section.
This article is based on reporting from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, and has been translated and edited for clarity.
