(2nd LD) Security heightened at Gwanghwamun Square as fans gather for BTS comeback concert | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: RECASTS lead; UPDATES throughout with details) By Chae Yun-hwan SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- A heavy police presence blanketed downtown Seoul on Saturday as tens of thousands gathered ahead of BTS' long-awaited comeback concert. Crowds of people are gathered around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, 2026, ahead of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert. (Yonhap) Security has been tightened as fans and visitors flock from around the world, with authorities planning to deploy around 15,000 safety management personnel, including some 6,700 police officers. Police conduct security checks at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, 2026, ahead of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert. (Yonhap) Officials have also placed heavy focus on possible terror threats, with the terror alert for the area raised to the second-lowest level in a four-tier system. Traffic is restricted near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, where K-pop group BTS is scheduled to hold its comeback concert on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap) yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage BTS fans flock to Seoul overnight to get glimpse of K-pop megastar's comeback concert Downtown Seoul to enter security lockdown for massive crowd at BTS concert Police to set up triple-layer barrier around BTS concert to counter terror threats BTS says is 'thrilled' ahead of Gwanghwamun comeback show Gov't to raise terror alert by 1 notch ahead of BTS concert Lee urges thorough security measures ahead of BTS concert in Seoul Shops, hotels in central Seoul preparing safety measures ahead of BTS show Seoul glows red as fans gather to celebrate new BTS album 'Arirang' MORE (+4) CLOSE Keywords #BTS concert #security Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) At least 50 injured in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) 53 injured, 14 unaccounted for in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) S.

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OK
(ATTN: RECASTS lead; UPDATES throughout with details)
By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- A heavy police presence blanketed downtown Seoul on Saturday as tens of thousands gathered ahead of BTS' long-awaited comeback concert.
The K-pop septet will perform at Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m. to mark its return after a four-year hiatus, with 260,000 people expected in an area stretching from the square to Sungnye Gate, over a kilometer away.
As of noon, about 22,000 to 24,000 people had gathered around Gwanghwamun and the nearby Deoksu Palace, up 91.9 percent from three hours earlier, according to the Seoul city government.
Officials expect the site to start becoming crowded from 2 p.m.
Crowds of people are gathered around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, 2026, ahead of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert. (Yonhap)
Security has been tightened as fans and visitors flock from around the world, with authorities planning to deploy around 15,000 safety management personnel, including some 6,700 police officers.
Police commandos were seen inspecting the concert's main stage, while various safety personnel were stationed across the area.
As part of safety measures, officials have set up a 200-meter-wide, 1.2-kilometer-long fenced crowd control zone, accessible through 31 entrances installed with metal detectors.
Police have said those without identification could be asked for their resident registration numbers or fingerprints.
Police conduct security checks at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, 2026, ahead of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert. (Yonhap)
Officials have also placed heavy focus on possible terror threats, with the terror alert for the area raised to the second-lowest level in a four-tier system. Police commandos will be mobilized to monitor such threats.
Police also restricted the release of firearms to licensed owners Saturday as a precautionary measure. South Korea requires all gun owners to store their weapons at local police stations.
Subway locker services at 17 stations across Seoul have also been shut down over terror concerns.
Rescue authorities have set up three medical stations near the concert area, while organizers will separately operate 11 medical booths.
Traffic is restricted near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, where K-pop group BTS is scheduled to hold its comeback concert on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(2nd LD) Security heightened at Gwanghwamun Square as fans gather for BTS comeback concert

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Traffic is restricted near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, where K-pop group BTS is scheduled to hold its comeback concert on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap) yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage BTS fans flock to Seoul overnight to get glimpse of K-pop megastar's comeback concert Downtown Seoul to enter security lockdown for massive crowd at BTS concert Police to set up triple-layer barrier around BTS concert to counter terror threats BTS says is 'thrilled' ahead of Gwanghwamun comeback show Gov't to raise terror alert by 1 notch ahead of BTS concert Lee urges thorough security measures ahead of BTS concert in Seoul Shops, hotels in central Seoul preparing safety measures ahead of BTS show Seoul glows red as fans gather to celebrate new BTS album 'Arirang' MORE (+4) CLOSE Keywords #BTS concert #security Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) At least 50 injured in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) 53 injured, 14 unaccounted for in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- OK (ATTN: RECASTS lead; UPDATES throughout with details) By Chae Yun-hwan SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- A heavy police presence blanketed downtown Seoul on Saturday as tens of thousands gathered ahead of BTS' long-awaited comeback concert.
- The K-pop septet will perform at Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m. to mark its return after a four-year hiatus, with 260,000 people expected in an area stretching from the square to Sungnye Gate, over a kilometer away.
- Officials expect the site to start becoming crowded from 2 p.m.
- Police have said those without identification could be asked for their resident registration numbers or fingerprints.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers bts, seoul, concert topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 782.