Major roads in central Seoul will shut down for more than a day ahead of a large-scale comeback performance by BTS, as authorities prepare for crowds that could reach about 260,000 people.
The concert, titled “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG,” is scheduled for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square, one of the capital’s most prominent public spaces. Police and city officials have released an extensive traffic control plan covering a wide section of downtown Seoul.
The main closure will affect Sejong-daero, the central boulevard between the Gwanghwamun and City Hall intersections. The road will be completely closed to vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. on March 20 through 6 a.m. on March 22, a period of roughly 33 hours. Officials said shutting down a major downtown artery for that long is unusual and reflects the expected scale of the event.
Traffic restrictions will expand throughout the evening of March 21 as pedestrian volumes increase. Sections of Sajik-ro and Yulgok-ro will be closed from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. the following morning. Later in the evening, parts of Jong-ro and Saemunan-ro—two other major corridors near the venue—will restrict vehicle traffic between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.Authorities said closures could spread farther south toward the Sungnyemun area if crowds move beyond the immediate concert zone.
Despite the broad shutdowns, emergency lanes will remain open to ensure access for ambulances and fire crews. On several streets, one or two lanes will be reserved exclusively for emergency vehicles, while central bus-only corridors will temporarily serve as dedicated response routes.
Public transit riders may also face disruptions. Police said trains on the Seoul subway network could pass through several downtown stations without stopping if crowd levels become unsafe after the concert. Stations that could be affected include those near the venue and major nightlife districts where departing fans are expected to gather. Hotels near the venue have already begun notifying guests about possible transit disruptions and limited vehicle access.
Private buildings surrounding the square are taking precautionary measures as well. Several major office towers and commercial buildings have announced that parking garages will be closed and building access restricted during the event. Officials said the measures are intended to prevent unauthorized entry into buildings by people attempting to view the concert from rooftops or upper floors.
Police will also implement stadium-style crowd control. A total of 31 entry gates will be installed around the concert area, dividing the site into four zones based on crowd density. If crowd levels exceed safety thresholds—roughly two people per 10.8 square feet—specific gates will be temporarily closed to prevent overcrowding.
More than 6,500 police officers and thousands of pieces of crowd-control equipment will be deployed around the venue and nearby streets. Authorities are urging visitors to rely on public transportation and plan their departures in advance, warning that both roads and subway stations could become heavily congested after the show.
