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HYBE thanks authorities for securing Gwanghwamun Square for BTS concert
HYBE thanks authorities for securing Gwanghwamun Square for BTS concert
SEOUL, South Korea - Korean entertainment company HYBE thanked authorities for providing security to ensure the safety of attendees of K-pop superstars BTS’ concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21.
The “BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang” attracted scores of fans, including Filipinos.
“We sincerely thank you for the warm support and consideration shown for the BTS concert held in Gwanghwamun yesterday,” said HYBE in a statement.
HYBE is the parent company of BTS’ agency, Bighit Music.
It added, “First of all, we deeply thank the authorities for allowing Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun, symbols of the Republic of Korea, to serve as the concert venue. We are well aware that Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun are spaces where the history, identity, and contemporary culture of the Republic of Korea live and breathe together. HYBE considers it a great honor to have been able to present a performance for the world in this very place.”
It said, “We deeply thank the police, fire department, and all government and local government officials who worked hard to ensure this concert concluded safely.”
Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jeong-bo told Korean media that for the security for the BTS concert, "We must respond excessively when it comes to citizen safety.”
"We prioritized safety for this event in consideration of the terrorist threats caused by the situation in the Middle East/ It must have been very inconvenient, but most citizens followed along well."
Weeks before the concert, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the police and other government agencies laid out the security plan for an attendance of 260,000 people.
HYBE earlier said 104,000 people gathered in Seoul for the concert.
“We prepared for the worst-case scenario where 260,000 people could enter if Sungnyemun Gate were filled,” said Park.
In the statement, HYBE said, “We also extend our apologies and gratitude to the citizens in the Gwanghwamun area, as well as nearby merchants, office workers, and visitors. Because we had to ensure the safety of a performance that the whole world was watching, unavoidable measures such as traffic and building controls and searches for dangerous items were implemented.”
“We sincerely apologize to everyone who experienced inconvenience due to this, affecting not only those passing through Gwanghwamun Square but also your personal schedules and daily lives. Thanks to your broad understanding and consideration, we were able to create a meaningful time,” the company said.
From the morning of March 21 until the concert ended, security teams kept the crowd safe by implementing strict measures.
These included checking of bags, using handheld metal detectors, implementing crowd control, and putting up barricades.
Subway exits and major roads around Gwanghwamun were closed. Subway trains bypassed the Gwanghwamun area during the concert and buses were detoured.
“The fact that K-pop has grown into a culture that resonates with the entire world today is due to the cultural foundation built together by artists, fans, and Korean society, as well as the mature support of our citizens. We are well aware that this performance was made possible on such a foundation. Orderly viewing, mature civic consciousness, and mutual consideration made this performance shine even brighter. We extend our gratitude to everyone once again,” said HYBE.
It added, “HYBE will cherish the support and consideration shown for this performance and will redouble our efforts to convey the inspiration and value of K-pop and K-culture to the world. In particular, we are grateful that we were able to introduce our proud cultural heritage to the world through this performance.”
“We will promptly finalize the protection and promotion plans for national heritage and cultural assets, which are currently being discussed closely with relevant agencies, and implement a long-term support system. Once again, I sincerely thank everyone who worked hard for the Gwanghwamun performance,” it said.
It added, “Finally, I extend my condolences to all those affected by the fire accident in Daejeon. I offer my deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
