Oh Sehoon Says "BTS Gwanghwamun Comeback Is a Golden Opportunity"... Cracking Down on Price Gouging

Seoul Focuses on Urban Safety Management for BTS Comeback
Crackdown on Price Gouging in Accommodation and Traditional Markets
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere at Key Hubs such as DDP and Seoul Plaza
Oh Sehoon: "A Golden Opportunity to Become a Global Cultural Capital"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will strengthen event safety management and crack down on price gouging in line with BTS's comeback at Gwanghwamun. In particular, it will not only crack down on price gouging by deploying undercover inspectors, but also conduct joint inspections with district offices on accommodation rates.

On the morning of the 4th, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon held a "BTS Comeback Event Issues Review Meeting" at City Hall to discuss comprehensive response measures to ensure citizen safety and provide a warm welcome to global fans.

Seoul City will, ahead of BTS's comeback in Gwanghwamun, not only crack down on price gouging but also carry out inspections of accommodation prices jointly with district offices. The photo shows tourists photographing promotional materials on the steps of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The meeting focused on closely reviewing the event safety management plan. As large crowds are expected to gather at major locations such as Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul Plaza, the city will implement comprehensive safety management measures to prevent various safety accidents.

First, the city decided to strengthen the review of the safety management plan through prior consultation with experts. The main event venue will be divided into more detailed zones to prevent the emergence of vulnerable areas in safety management. The city will ask the organizer to deploy a sufficient number of safety support personnel commensurate with the size of the crowd in areas where large crowds are expected to gather, such as inside and around the concert venue.

Crowd flow monitoring will also be reinforced. Centered on the Seoul Disaster and Safety Situation Room, the city will use real-time urban data and CCTV footage to place special controls on real-time crowd density. It will share on-site conditions with the police and fire authorities and activate an immediate response system tailored to each crisis level.

The city also announced traffic measures, including having subway trains pass through nearby stations without stopping and rerouting buses in line with road closures. It will further implement on-site safety measures such as securing sufficient nearby restrooms, suspending the rental of Ttareungyi public bicycles and shared personal mobility devices to ensure pedestrian safety, and cracking down on illegal street vendors and illegal parking.

The city will carry out thorough crackdowns on unfair practices such as price gouging at traditional markets. Through joint inspections with district offices, it will focus on checking whether accommodation providers properly post their rates and on cracking down on unfair practices such as inducing guests to cancel reservations. The city has already conducted on-site inspections of four hotels near Gwanghwamun in cooperation with the Korea Hotel Association and the Seoul Tourism Association. Together with Jongno-gu and Jung-gu, it has inspected 22 accommodation facilities. The city plans to continuously monitor price trends and induce rate stabilization through meetings with industry players such as online travel agencies (OTAs) and with the cooperation of district offices and related institutions.

The city will deploy "mystery shoppers" (undercover inspectors) to traditional markets and tourist hotspots that are popular with foreign visitors. It will also provide hygiene and service training in cooperation with district offices, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Seoul Merchants Association, and other relevant organizations.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is also preparing a variety of events across the city to create a festive environment that domestic and international tourists can enjoy. Before and after the BTS concert, it plans to organize a range of programs at major hubs such as DDP, Seoul Plaza, and Hangang Park, including street performances, random dance festivals, and participatory events that global ARMYs can enjoy.

Mayor Oh said, "Holding BTS's comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, the heart of Seoul, is a golden opportunity to imprint Seoul's appeal as a 'global cultural capital' on the world," adding, "We will comprehensively address crowd safety, price gouging, and entertainment options to build Seoul into a global tourist city that people from all over the world can enjoy."