Terror rumors, threats prompt 'caution' prior to BTS performance
Published: 20 Mar. 2026, 13:41
![Passersby watch as preparations for boy band BTS's comeback concert in Gwanghwamun Square, to be held on March 21, are underway at the venue in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 19. [KIM YE-JUNG]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/20/41acabf3-ef80-4e87-9aec-0eda9bba5e0c.jpg)
Passersby watch as preparations for boy band BTS's comeback concert in Gwanghwamun Square, to be held on March 21, are underway at the venue in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 19. [KIM YE-JUNG]
Security concerns are rising among citizens ahead of BTS’s comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, as fallout from the Iran war fuels both terror rumors and threats against Iranian nationals in Korea.
With unverified claims of a possible attack spreading online, authorities have raised security to a level comparable to major international events, deploying police and special forces units.
Days ahead of the BTS concert, some posts on social media alleged that an Iranian government-affiliated account uploaded an image of Gwanghwamun Square with a message implying a potential attack, while others pointed to the area’s proximity to the United States and Israeli embassies as a possible symbolic target.
In response, the Korean government raised the terrorism alert level in Jongno and Jung districts from “attention” to “caution” from midnight on Thursday through midnight Saturday. The alert system consists of four levels — attention, caution, alert and severe.
Police expect up to 260,000 attendees and plan to apply a “stadium-style” crowd control system, dispersing visitors through 31 entrances.
Still, anxiety remains palpable.
![Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young, center in yellow, oversees preparations for boy band BTS's performance in Gwanghwamun Square, to be held on March 21, at the location in Jongo District, central Seoul, on March 20. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/20/d4bf2bbb-037e-47c1-ac12-f696c0d7c276.jpg)
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young, center in yellow, oversees preparations for boy band BTS's performance in Gwanghwamun Square, to be held on March 21, at the location in Jongo District, central Seoul, on March 20. [YONHAP]
“At the end of the day, if something really happens, it would be a disaster,” said a convenience store owner near Gwanghwamun. “I just have to trust that with so many police deployed, things will be safe.”
Experts say the likelihood of an actual attack remains low, but stress the need for heightened preparedness.
“Korea is not directly involved in the conflict, so the probability of a terrorist incident is low,” said Kim Deok-il, a research fellow at the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies at Korea University’s Asiatic Research Institute. “However, given its alliance with the United States and the proximity of the US Embassy, thorough preparation is necessary.”
At the same time, threats targeting Iranian nationals in Korea — particularly critics of the Iranian government — are increasing.
Rosa (alias), an Iranian student, said she has received daily threatening messages on social media since mid-February, including messages revealing her real name and home address.
![A threatening message that an Iranian resident in Korea received over direct message on Instagram [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/20/31ef242e-720a-4bcd-8a85-1f6b5a74ff8a.jpg)
A threatening message that an Iranian resident in Korea received over direct message on Instagram [JOONGANG ILBO]
One message said, “If you keep talking, we’ll kill your family,” in response to a post she uploaded criticizing the Iranian regime.
“I’m already worried because communication with my parents in Iran is often cut off, and now knowing they have my home address makes it even more frightening,” she said.
Authorities had recently confiscated assets and some families back home were being investigated, said another Iranian resident in Korea who frequently participates in anti-Iran protests.
Experts warn that these threats should be taken seriously.
“With Iranian state media openly announcing punishment for anti-government activities and intelligence networks tracking overseas Iranians, these threats are real,” said Koo Gi-yeon, a professor of Islamic studies and anthropology at Seoul National University’s Asia Center.
![Preparations are underway at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 19 for BTS’s upcoming concert on March 21. [KIM JONG-HO]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/20/87f3b757-6964-4fcd-86b9-29af06c4738b.jpg)
Preparations are underway at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on March 19 for BTS’s upcoming concert on March 21. [KIM JONG-HO]
Experts say the Iranian government may be intensifying its monitoring of overseas dissent to project strength amid internal and external instability.
Iran has faced international criticism for suppressing large-scale protests earlier this year, and recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have further weakened its leadership.
Following the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike on Feb. 28, Ali Larijani, the country's de facto head of security, was also assassinated on Tuesday.
“The Iranian regime’s standing has recently weakened due to internal and external turmoil,” said Prof. Koo. “It appears they are sending a stronger warning message to anti-government Iranians abroad to demonstrate their strength.”
Against this backdrop, Korean authorities are deploying extensive counterterrorism measures at the Gwanghwamun BTS event.
Police will establish an on-site command center near Exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station and deploy equipment including anti-drone vehicles and aerial surveillance units.
![Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jeong-bo, left, oversees police preparations for boy band BTS's concert in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul from the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History building on March 18. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/20/2a9f4dac-8e8e-481f-841d-6710a4856d21.jpg)
Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jeong-bo, left, oversees police preparations for boy band BTS's concert in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul from the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History building on March 18. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
A total of 6,729 police personnel, including 72 riot police units and 162 investigators from 35 teams, will be mobilized, with special forces deployed at a level similar to international events.
A crowd control perimeter will limit the main viewing area to about 100,000 people, and attendees will pass through metal detectors and security checks.
“We are strengthening counterterrorism readiness given the unstable global situation, the scale of the crowd and the fact that the event will be broadcast worldwide in real time, as well as the concentration of key government facilities in the area,” a police official said.
Senior police officials have also conducted on-site inspections, reviewing stage layouts, crowd flow plans and the deployment of special forces equipment to ensure safety. Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jeong-bo and Jongno Police Precinct chief Lee Cheol-hee visited the site on Wednesday, followed by acting National Police Agency chief Yoo Jae-seong on Thursday.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KIM YE-JUNG [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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