Kathmandu- K-pop band BTS is expected to hold a “comeback” concert in downtown Seoul next week, with an estimated 300,000 people expected to attend, South Korea’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Security said on Tuesday. It is said to be one of the largest public gatherings to be held in the region since the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The free concert is being held on March 21 as chart-topping K-pop group BTS releases a new album after more than three years. The band is then set to embark on a global tour in April.

The hour-long event, which will stretch from Gwanghwamun Square in the heart of the capital Seoul to City Hall, will be broadcast live around the world. It is expected to attract international attention as it will be broadcast live in 190 countries via Netflix.

Considering the possibility of large crowds, there has also been special interest within the country in crowd management and safety.

About 22,000 spectators who received free tickets will sit inside the concert venue and watch the show. But people without tickets will also be allowed to come to the surrounding area to watch the show, said Home Affairs Minister Yoon Ho-jung.

According to local media, preparations are underway to deploy around 4,800 police officers to ensure crowd management, emergency rescue, and counter-terrorism security measures. Similarly, it is said that approximately 3,400 employees from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and related agencies will also be mobilized for the program.

Minister Yun said that the program will prioritize a ‘safety first’ policy. Under this, structural checks will be carried out before the program, direct monitoring by the joint command during the program, and cleaning will be arranged immediately after the program. “This program will not only present K-culture, but also an example of K-safety,” he said.

According to local media, police said they would not stop people staying overnight, but large tents would not be allowed. Multilingual guides and a health support center will also be stationed at the event site. In addition, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has arranged 894 toilets for public use in surrounding buildings.

South Korea appears to be more cautious about large-scale events after 159 people died in a Halloween stampede in Seoul in 2022. (Reuters)