A massive stage on March 19 is undergoing preparation for the March 21 event of K-pop juggernaut BTS at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo)
By Xu Aiying
Security is tightening around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul as "BTS fever" prepares to take over with the highly anticipated return of the K-pop juggernaut on March 21.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety on March 21 will issue a caution-level alert for a crowd disaster crisis for the districts of Jongno-gu and Jung-gu. From March 19-20, a government safety inspection team of the public and private sectors will be formed to conduct a preliminary inspection of overall safety management at the event venue.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is holding consultations on performance safety and inspections of stage facilities and seating areas. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has rapid deployment units for public health emergencies and disaster medical assistance teams.
Police are bolstering maintenance of public order, security and counterterrorism activities surrounding the venue. The Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters has on standby rescue and emergency medical personnel and ambulances in case of incidents.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will launch a civilian safety task force to monitor the enforcement of the safety management plan. To encourage orderly behavior and viewing, the city offers convenience support such as guidance for foreign nationals, sending of safety alert texts in Korean and English, and broadcasting of safety guideline videos on large electronic billboards on nearby buildings.
President Lee Jae Myung on March 18 also urged the people to show a mature civic consciousness ahead of the event.
"Together with relevant ministries, local governments, police and fire departments, and other related agencies, we are making full preparations to ensure that the event is held safely," he wrote on the Cheong Wa Dae website. "We will carefully and thoroughly prepare every procedure, from traffic and crowd management before and after the concert, to respond to emergency situations."
"I trust that the people will be considerate to one other and maintain order in showing a mature civic consciousness, as they always have," he added. "I hope that the BTS performance again proves the power of the great culture created by the Republic of Korea and serves as a special moment long remembered by people around the world."
xuaiy@korea.kr
