Seoul Police Confiscate Self-Defense Items from Woman Near BTS Comeback Concert Venue
Heightened security measures paid off Saturday evening as police intercepted a woman carrying prohibited items just blocks from BTS’s historic “ARIRANG” comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square.
Around 5:25 p.m. KST on March 21, officers at a metal detector checkpoint near the KT Gwanghwamun Building West Wing in Jongno-gu stopped a 55-year-old woman identified as Kwon after her bag set off alarms.
A search revealed a gas gun — often a pepper spray device shaped like a pistol — and a stun gun. Kwon told authorities she carried the items for personal protection, citing safety concerns from walking alone at night and an ongoing personal matter; one account noted the gas gun was a gift from her boyfriend.
While such self-defense sprays are generally legal for civilians in South Korea without a criminal record or mental health disqualifiers, possession of certain gas guns requires a permit from the local police chief. Stun guns face voltage restrictions. Police denied her entry to the event zone and took her to a nearby substation for questioning to verify compliance with the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act. No charges have been announced, and the matter was resolved without incident.
The episode unfolded amid one of Seoul’s most intensive security operations in years. Authorities deployed over 6,500 police officers, installed 31 metal detector checkpoints across a 1.2-kilometer radius, raised the local terror alert to “caution,” and enforced a strict no-weapons policy for the free outdoor show expecting massive crowds.
Other brief detentions involved kitchen knives from a chef, a tourist, and a small group — all handled calmly after explanations (e.g., fruit-cutting purposes).
The concert itself proceeded smoothly, drawing an estimated 104,000 attendees per organizer figures and millions more via Netflix global stream. Fans praised the thorough checks for ensuring safety during BTS’s emotional full-group return after military service. No further disruptions were reported, underscoring effective planning for what many called a once-in-a-generation cultural moment.
Reportby: leesung@ygkplusofficial.com
Read more: BTS Comeback Concert Attendance Sparks Debate as Fans Question HYBE Figures and Media Reports
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