"We were sick of protest loudspeakers every weekend, but if it's a concert, isn't that better?"
A person surnamed Lee (68), who lives in Jongno District, Seoul, said this while passing near Jongno on the busy 20th as preparations were underway for BTS's Gwanghwamun Square concert. Lee said, "I dislike the weekend protests, so I don't even go for walks toward Gwanghwamun," adding, "There are inconveniences (from the BTS concert), but I still think it's good because many foreign tourists will come and bring in foreign currency."
On the eve of BTS's concert, residents met around Gwanghwamun Square complained about inconveniences such as traffic jams, yet said they expected the benefits a large-scale concert would bring. In particular, many said it was better than rallies and protests.
According to the Seoul city government, from 9 p.m. that day to 6 a.m. on the 22nd, vehicle traffic will be blocked for 33 hours on Sejong-daero between Gyeongbokgung and City Hall. From the afternoon of the 21st, the day of the concert, Sajik-ro and Saemunan-ro will also be controlled.
A person surnamed Park (53), who usually commutes to Gwanghwamun by car, said, "I left my car today and took the subway to work." Park said, "I used public transportation after hearing the roads would be controlled from the evening," adding, "I don't plan to come near the area on the concert day either."
Some also said they were worried because not only cars but even public transportation are expected to avoid passing the Gwanghwamun Square area. A person surnamed Seo (62) said, "My son said it was a chance to promote Gwanghwamun Square to the world, but the truth is it's inconvenient because if we try to go anywhere this weekend, we have to detour."
Still, many welcomed the disappearance of rallies and protests ahead of BTS's concert. Citing safety concerns, the Seoul city government has restricted rallies around Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District from the 16th to the 21st.
A person surnamed Kim (60), who works as a building manager in Jongno, also said, "There is a marching protest that clocks in every weekend, and every time, managing the restrooms and the trash they leave behind is a headache," adding, "With BTS's concert, the Seoul city government and police are taking responsibility for management, so it's reassuring."
The Gwanghwamun Square area is called the "No. 1 protest site" because rallies continue there every weekend. This year as well, not a single Saturday has passed without rallies on Sejong-daero and Sajik-ro. The average monthly number of 112 calls in Jongno related to noise from rallies and protests also exceeds 100.
A Jongno District resident, a person surnamed Park (65), said, "Who would like noise? Still, of course the cheers for a global singer are better than protest chants."
Unlike local residents, some civic and social groups argue it is unjust to ban rallies because of a concert. They say it infringes on the "freedom of assembly" enshrined in the Constitution.
Human Rights Movement Network Baram said in a statement the previous day, "The measures now being taken at Gwanghwamun, a public space, that deepen inequality and roll back human rights must stop immediately," adding, "Police, the Seoul city government, and the central government should no longer pressure groups to cancel rallies because of BTS's concert."