Key Summary
📅 March 21 (Sat) 8 PM — BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square
🚧 Sejong-daero fully closed for 33 hours (Mar 20, 9 PM – Mar 22, 6 AM)
🚇 Gwanghwamun, City Hall & Gyeongbokgung stations — trains skip (from Mar 21 daytime)
📱 First-ever Korean-English bilingual emergency alerts being sent
What's happening?
On Saturday, March 21 at 8 PM, all BTS members — now fully discharged from military service — will hold their comeback concert 'BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG' at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Around 260,000 people are expected, making it the largest gathering since the 2002 FIFA World Cup celebrations.
The government has raised the terror alert from 'Attention' to 'Caution,' deploying approximately 15,000 personnel (6,700 police + 8,200 safety staff). Foreigners living near or traveling through the Gwanghwamun area should check the road closure information below.
Road Closure Schedule
| Road | Closure Start | Reopening | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sejong-daero (Gwanghwamun–City Hall, 1.2km) | Mar 20 (Fri) 9 PM | Mar 22 (Sun) 6 AM | 33-hour full closure |
| Sajik-ro / Yulgok-ro | Mar 21 (Sat) 4 PM | Mar 21 (Sat) 11 PM | Before/after concert |
| Saemoonan-ro / Jongno / Gwanghwamun Underpass | Mar 21 (Sat) 7 PM | Mar 21 (Sat) 11 PM | During concert |
Subway & Bus Changes
| Transport | Impact | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Subway | Gwanghwamun, City Hall & Gyeongbokgung — all exits closed, trains pass through | Mar 21 daytime – end of concert |
| Lockers | Lockers closed at 17 subway stations | Mar 20, 5 AM – Mar 22, 1 AM |
| Bus | 86 routes rerouted | Mar 20, 9 PM – Mar 21, 11 PM |
What Foreigners Should Do
Check emergency alerts
Check your phone for emergency alerts — for the first time, they are being sent in Korean + English.
Avoid Gwanghwamun area
Avoid the Gwanghwamun area from Friday night (Mar 20) to Sunday morning (Mar 22), or plan alternate routes.
Use alternate stations
Use Jongak, Anguk, or Euljiro-ipgu stations instead of Gwanghwamun, City Hall, or Gyeongbokgung.
Carry your ID
Police may inspect large bags near the venue. Always carry your Alien Registration Card or passport.
Emergency contacts
In emergencies: 119 (fire/ambulance), 112 (police), 1345 (foreigner helpline, 13 languages)
What are Emergency Alert Messages?
In South Korea, the government automatically sends text messages to all mobile phones when a disaster or danger occurs. Until now, these were only in Korean, but for the first time — prompted by the BTS concert — they are being sent in both Korean and English.
They appear as pop-ups with a loud alarm sound. Don't dismiss them — read the contents. If you don't understand, call 1345 (Foreigner Information Center) for help in 13 languages.