BTS said two days before its comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul that "we are truly excited at the thought of meeting you."
RM, the leader of BTS, said on the 19th in the afternoon via the fan community platform Weverse, "Since many people will gather, please make sure everyone can enjoy the concert safely and happily."
BTS will release its fifth full-length album "Arirang" (ARIRANG) at 1 p.m. on the 20th, and will hold a free comeback concert, "BTS Comeback Live: Arirang," at 8 p.m. on the 21st in the Gwanghwamun Square area in Seoul. Police estimate the crowd could reach up to 260,000 people. The seating area has been prepared for 22,000 seats.
RM repeatedly asked for order to ensure safety on the day of the concert. RM said, "Please be sure to follow the guidance of the on-site staff and safety personnel on the day, and we look forward to seeing orderly behavior," adding, "I believe a better concert is completed only when each and every ARMY (fandom name) creates order and consideration."
RM added, "We are truly grateful to the police officers, the fire service and the government, and all local governments and everyone else who are working hard for safety."
Jin, the eldest member of BTS, also said, "Thanks to the help and support of many people, we were able to hold the comeback show at Gwanghwamun," adding, "It is an honor to be able to greet everyone together again in a meaningful place after a long time, and I am very grateful to those who helped and to everyone who understood." Jin said, "We will also do our best to present a great stage," and asked, "Those watching on-site, please be sure to pay close attention to safety."
The National Fire Agency will activate top-level fire safety support measures to ensure the concert is held safely. The agency will issue Special Emergency Duty No. 2, instructing fire station chiefs to remain at their posts and significantly strengthening mobile patrols. On the day of the concert, about 800 personnel, including rescue workers, and around 100 pieces of equipment will be deployed on-site.
Taking into account crowd density and movement routes, the section from Gwanghwamun Square to City Hall Station will be partitioned into three zones for control. Jongno Fire Station, Jungbu Fire Station, and the Seoul 119 Special Rescue Team, which have jurisdiction, will each be responsible for one zone for close management.
A counterterrorism rescue team from the National 119 Rescue Headquarters will be preemptively deployed, and a national fire mobilization order will be issued to mobilize an additional 50 ambulances. In addition to major disasters, the National Fire Agency commissioner may issue a national fire mobilization order when it is determined that firefighting activities are needed at the national level.
Preventive measures will also proceed. On the 19th and 20th for two days, a joint safety inspection with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korean National Police Agency will be conducted to block risk factors in and around the venue in advance.
On the 21st, the day of the concert, from 2 p.m. until the crowd disperses, a situation response team will operate within the National Fire Agency. Field situation managers from the agency will be dispatched to three key hubs to establish a real-time communication system and secure a control network.