BTS Busan concert sparks safety fears as single entry point for 100,000 fans raises risk of a crush in area built for 50,000
- The K-pop giants’ concert in October to promote Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo is slated for a former factory site, access to which is very restricted
- Half the 100,000 fans will be in an undivided standing area, raising fears of a crush. Moreover, fans could go 12 hours without food, and the site lacks toilets
By Kim Rahn
Safety concerns are growing over the scheduled concert of K-pop titans BTS in Busan, South Korea, in October, as there are fears that a lack of necessary infrastructure and preparation at the concert venue may cause massive traffic congestion, inconvenience to the audience and even possible accidents.
On August 24, the group’s agency, Big Hit Music, and the Busan metropolitan government said the septet would hold the “BTS Yet to Come in Busan” concert on October 15 for free to support the port city’s bid to host the World Expo 2030, as the group is one of the Expo bid ambassadors.
For the audience of 100,000 members – 50,000 seated and 50,000 standing – the city said it would set up a special concert venue at a former glass factory site near Ilgwang Beach.
The purpose of the concert is to promote Busan as the host city of the Expo, right? But you are pushing ahead with the plan without considering safety and other issues.
