Ahead of BTS’ first show in years, South Korean police lock down central Seoul

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by ReutersMarch 21, 2026 at 03:46 AM
Ahead of BTS’ first show in years, South Korean police lock down central Seoul

AI Summary

short article 2 min

Ahead of BTS's first concert in years, Seoul shut down its city center on Saturday to accommodate an expected 260,000 fans attending the event and millions more watching online. The concert at Gwanghwamun Square marks the release of the K-pop group's first new album in over three years and the start of their global tour in April. Authorities are implementing strict safety measures, including street closures, security checks, and drone signal jamming, deploying over 8,200 personnel to manage the large crowds. The heightened security comes nearly four years after a deadly crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon district, increasing pressure to ensure the safety of this large public gathering. The Seoul government and BTS's agency, HYBE, are working together to make the performance safe and enjoyable.

Keywords

bts 100% concert 90% seoul 80% public safety 70% k-pop 70% gwanghwamun square 60% crowd control 60% south korea 50% hybe 40% military service 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral
Score: 0.10

Source Transparency

Source
South China Morning Post
Political Lean
Center-Right (0.50)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
90%
Geographic Perspective
South Korea

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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