Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on the 21st visited Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, where BTS's comeback concert is being held, to inspect safety management at the venue and said, "HYBE should recognize that the public is enduring a certain level of inconvenience."
Kim visited the integrated on-site BTS concert headquarters situation room set up at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and received briefings on safety management plans from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, police and fire authorities, and HYBE, BTS's agency.
After the briefing, Kim said, "First, it seems necessary to once again confirm the meaning of the event," adding, "The BTS comeback concert has become a national event and one that draws global attention, but fundamentally it is an event organized by BTS and HYBE that the state and the community are supporting."
He continued, "Therefore, I believe it is important for the company to recognize not only during the concert but going forward as well that the entire nation and the public are paying attention and providing support and are enduring a certain level of inconvenience."
He added, "Of course, because we recognize that (the concert) is meaningful enough to warrant that, national capabilities are being mobilized like this."
He also said, "Isn't Gwanghwamun a national space, a historical space, and a democratic space?" and added, "I especially hope today will serve as an opportunity to bring that out well."
Kim said, "From the safety checks, it seems everything is proceeding well," and inspected the preparedness of the anti-terror command center and the comprehensive command system in the event of an incident.
Regarding management of the "core zone" where standing and reserved-seat audiences converge, he asked, "If an unexpected situation arises, can the organizer's staff fully respond?"
A HYBE official replied, "We have deployed all personnel and coordinated with police. We have taken measures so an ambulance can enter immediately in an emergency," while a police official explained, "We will deploy detectives throughout the area to take immediate action in the event of an unexpected situation."
Kim said, "Our government itself has ample experience with these matters, and HYBE has experience as well, so this system will proceed smoothly," adding, "Also, given the global attention, we will be even more alert, and I believe things will go well."
He continued, "In any case, follow the preparations well so the concert succeeds under 100% safety, and so that Gwanghwamun and Korea can be promoted more meaningfully in cultural terms."
BTS's concert that day will be held at Gwanghwamun Square starting at 8 p.m. To manage venue safety, 15,000 police, firefighters, and public officials will be deployed on-site.