S. Korea to raise terror alert ahead of BTS comeback

The level of security and patrol in event venues or multi-use facilities of the area will be heightened. Read more at straitstimes.com.

SEOUL – The government announced on March 18 it will raise its terror alert near the venue for K-pop boy band BTS’ concert marking their comeback in a pre-emptive safety measure.

Effective for three days, from the early morning of March 19 at 12am until midnight on March 21, South Korea will raise the terror alert level in Jongno-gu and Jung-gu of Seoul from the lowest “attention” to the level of “caution,” the second-lowest in the four-tier system.

With the measure, the level of security and patrol in event venues or multi-use facilities of the designated area will be heightened, and relevant ministries will strengthen their joint response system to deal with emergency situations.

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok’s office stressed the pre-emptive state of readiness to ensure the safety of the public. It added the possibility of a terrorist attack cannot be ruled out in events with large crowds like BTS concerts.

Some 260,000 people are expected to gather at the concert venue in front of Gwanghwamun of Jongno-gu, Seoul, on March 21. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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