To strengthen safety measures related to the BTS performance at Gwanghwamun, the government will raise the terror alert level across Jongno-gu and Jung-gu in Seoul from 12:00 a.m. on the 19th to midnight on the 21st.
The alert level, classified by the degree of terror threat as "interest-caution-alert-severe," will be raised one step from "interest" to "caution."
The government said on the 18th that it made the decision after consultations with relevant agencies to strengthen counterterrorism safety activities ahead of the BTS concert.
A government official said, "Given the recent instability in the international situation, we cannot rule out the possibility of terror threats against large-scale events like the BTS concert," and noted, "We decided to establish a preemptive readiness posture to secure public safety as the top priority."
The government plans for all relevant agencies to work organically together and maintain a thorough state of preparedness. During the event period, it will respond quickly and without gaps to any situation that arises and concentrate its capabilities so the concert can proceed successfully.
Relevant agencies will immediately implement response measures by alert level and strengthen perimeter security and patrols, focusing on major event venues and multiuse facilities. They also plan to further solidify a joint response system among related agencies to enable immediate action in the event of an emergency.