(3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
Crowds of people gather around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, 2026, ahead of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Security has been tightened as fans and visitors flock from around the world, with authorities around 15,000 safety management personnel, including some 6,700 police officers. BTS members greet fans during a comeback concert in Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap) Police commandos were seen inspecting the concert's main stage, while various safety personnel were stationed across the area. Crowds of people gather around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, 2026, ahead of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert. (Pool photo) (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. Rescue authorities have set up three medical stations near the concert area, while organizers will separately operate 11 medical booths. 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) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (LEAD) S.

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(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES with latest details, photos)
By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- About 40,000 fans gathered in downtown Seoul on Saturday to watch K-pop group BTS return to the stage after a four-year hiatus, authorities said, prompting authorities to step up security measures.
The seven-member group kicked off the concert at Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m., drawing an estimated 40,000 to 42,000 people to the area, according to police.
The venue included about 22,000 standing-only spots stretching from Gwanghwamun Square to Seoul City Hall. Many fans also watched the concert on large outdoor screens set up on nearby buildings, while others gathered around the plaza to catch the performance.
Crowds of people gather around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, 2026, ahead of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Security has been tightened as fans and visitors flock from around the world, with authorities around 15,000 safety management personnel, including some 6,700 police officers.
Traffic controls were stepped up, with vehicle access to the main road at the square blocked from Friday night, and nearby roads restricted from Saturday afternoon until 11 p.m.
Subway operations were also adjusted. Trains have been passing Gwanghwamun Station without stopping since 2 p.m., while City Hall Station and Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 have been skipped since 3 p.m. The services will resume after 10 p.m.
The government has set up an on-site control center at the government complex to monitor crowd conditions in real time.
BTS members greet fans during a comeback concert in Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
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.
Crowds of people gather around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 21, 2026, ahead of K-pop group BTS' comeback concert. (Pool photo) (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.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Rescue authorities have set up three medical stations near the concert area, while organizers will separately operate 11 medical booths. 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) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- The services will resume after 10 p.m.
- Police have said those without identification could be asked for their resident registration numbers or fingerprints.
- Police commandos will be mobilized to monitor such threats.
- Rescue authorities have set up three medical stations near the concert area, while organizers will separately operate 11 medical booths. 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) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (LEAD) S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers bts, seoul, concert topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 867.