Conditional Permit Granted... Final Plan to Be Confirmed Next Month
Seoul City Prepares Measures for Accommodation, Transportation, and Safety
BTS has chosen Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square as the stage for their comeback, marking their first return in approximately 3 years and 9 months. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and related agencies have begun preparations.
On January 25, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Metro announced that HYBE, BTS's agency, had submitted an application to use Gwanghwamun Square for the 'BTS 2026 Comeback Show @ Seoul,' a concert expected to draw about 18,000 attendees on March 21.
At the first 2026 Gwanghwamun Square Advisory Committee meeting held on January 22, the Seoul Metropolitan Government granted conditional approval for the event. The city stipulated that measures must be taken to prevent overlap in exit times between performers and audience members and to minimize traffic congestion.
The stairs of Seoul Sejong Center decorated for the promotion of the group BTS, returning with their 5th full-length album this March. Photo by Yonhap News
This will be the first time a single artist holds an exclusive concert at Gwanghwamun Square. Since the event is free and considering BTS's global fandom, it is estimated that up to 200,000 people could gather on the day of the concert. As a result, comprehensive measures are being prepared, including personnel deployment, traffic control, and inspections of the hospitality industry. The final safety management plan will be confirmed at a Safety Management Committee meeting scheduled for February 24, which will be attended by relevant agencies such as the police and fire departments.
Separately from the Gwanghwamun concert, HYBE has also proposed holding a side event for about 30,000 people at Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall. At Seoul Plaza, experience programs targeting BTS's ARMY fandom and foreign tourists are being considered. However, due to the lawn protection period and other characteristics of Seoul Plaza, the city is currently reviewing the feasibility of using the venue.
Measures are also being taken to prevent a surge in hotel prices in advance. Jongno-gu, where Gwanghwamun Square is located, and the adjacent Jung-gu will form joint inspection teams with the Seoul Metropolitan Government starting this week to check compliance with price display regulations. Administrative action will be taken if violations are found. An official from the Jung-gu District Office stated, "We also plan to monitor prices on online reservation platforms."
In terms of transportation, Seoul Metro will deploy on-site response personnel at nearby subway stations such as Gwanghwamun, City Hall, Seodaemun, Gyeongbokgung, and Jonggak. Flexible train operations will be considered based on real-time congestion levels. If congestion becomes severe, measures such as skipping stops at affected stations or rerouting city buses may also be implemented.
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