Seoul Grants Conditional Approval for Gwanghwamun 'BTS Comeback' Concert

Supplementary Measures Required to Minimize Traffic Inconvenience

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to grant conditional approval for the use of Gwanghwamun Square for BTS’s comeback concert scheduled for March.

On the afternoon of January 22, the city announced that at the '2026 1st Gwanghwamun Square Advisory Committee Meeting,' it had decided to grant conditional approval for the 'BTS 2026 Comeback Show @ Seoul' concert, which was applied for by HYBE and Big Hit Music.

Yonhap News Agency

The city plans to swiftly grant final approval once supplementary measures are in place, such as preventing overlap in exit times between performers and audience members and minimizing traffic inconveniences, on the condition that the safety management plan passes review.

As a large crowd is expected to gather in downtown Seoul, including Gwanghwamun Square, on the day of the event, the city will thoroughly review the safety management plan and collaborate with relevant agencies such as the police and Jongno-gu District Office to prioritize the safety of concertgoers.

In addition, the city will conduct thorough on-site inspections in advance to address unfair practices such as hotel price gouging, as well as issues related to local traffic and citizen safety. Inspections will focus on Gwanghwamun Square and adjacent areas in Jongno-gu (280 locations) and Jung-gu (411 locations) within Seoul. Through these pre-event inspections, the city aims to minimize inconvenience for both residents and tourists visiting Seoul for the concert.

Furthermore, on the day of the concert, the city will offer a variety of experiential programs for foreign tourists, including BTS’s fanbase ARMY. To celebrate BTS’s return, Seoul will create a welcoming atmosphere throughout the city and provide a range of entertainment options by combining K-pop and Korean Wave content.

Kim Changgyu, Director General of Balanced Regional Development at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "We will prioritize the safety of not only concertgoers but also citizens and tourists visiting Gwanghwamun Square for various events by thoroughly reviewing and implementing our management plan. In addition, we will prepare a wide array of events and experiences that showcase the charm and beauty of Seoul, making this an opportunity for Gwanghwamun Square to establish itself as a sacred site for K-pop."