Police, Seoul City discuss measures to handle BTS fans camping out night before comeback concert

Police are preparing for the possibility that fans may camp out overnight ahead of BTS’s comeback concert at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on March 21, a scene commonly seen at K-pop concerts when large crowds gather for events.

A tourist takes a photo of a promotional display for BTS's new album, ″Arirang,″ at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul on Jan. 22. [NEWS1]

Police are preparing for the possibility that fans may camp out overnight ahead of BTS’s comeback concert at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on March 21, a scene commonly seen at K-pop concerts when large crowds gather for events. Police are discussing measures with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which manages Gwanghwamun Square, to address potentially excessive unauthorized occupation around the square and nearby sidewalks starting the day before the concert, according to Yonhap News on Sunday.

Authorities believe fans who failed to secure tickets may line up overnight to claim prime viewing spots in hopes of catching at least a glimpse of the performance.

Police plan to deploy officers to patrol the area beginning the day before the concert, on March 20. However, they are struggling to find clear legal grounds to restrict overnight stays, as camping out itself is not necessarily a violation of the law.

If fans do not block roadways and remain on sidewalks or in the square, their presence would not constitute a violation of the Road Traffic Act or obstruction of traffic under the Criminal Act. Nor can waiting to watch a performance be regarded as an illegal assembly.

Under Seoul city ordinances, administrative guidance or fines may be imposed for unauthorized occupation of public space. However, such measures do not grant police immediate authority to forcibly disperse crowds.

“Since we cannot mobilize physical force, we will likely have to ask for cooperation and explain that this is not a space where people can stay,” a police official said.

Meanwhile, police estimate that up to 260,000 people could gather near the venue for the concert. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to review the event safety management plan to be submitted by BTS’s agency, HYBE, on Tuesday, and prepare supplementary measures if necessary.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. BY JANG GU-SEUL [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]