Increased Visitors to Palaces and Jongmyo Prompt Response: CCTV and Personnel Expansion
During Performances, All Staff on Emergency Duty
Due to the increase in visitors to Korea’s four major palaces and Jongmyo, as well as Joseon royal tombs, safety measures are being implemented. Last year, a record number of over 17.81 million people visited these sites. To address the influx of visitors, the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Headquarters is taking actions such as expanding CCTV coverage and personnel.
On the day of the BTS concert occurring on the 21st in the Gwanghwamun area, Gyeongbokgung Palace will be temporarily closed to protect cultural heritage and visitors. A safety meeting was held last month to discuss countermeasures for managing crowds during large cultural events and preventing damage to cultural assets.
The plan involves a three-stage process: initially, coordinating with relevant agencies, reinforcing patrols, and inspecting the palace walls. A week before the event, inspections and patrols will be intensified, and on the day of the event, the palace will be closed entirely with all staff on emergency duty. The National Palace Museum will also close temporarily and activate an emergency response team to monitor key areas.
At Sungnyemun, where the BTS media façade will take place, additional safety measures include controlling crowd capacity and separating pedestrian traffic flows to prevent accidents. After the event, structures will be dismantled and areas restored for regular visitation.
Expectations for large crowds, possibly reaching up to 260,000 including foreign tourists, have led to temporary closures of nearby museums and cultural venues for safety reasons. The Cultural Heritage Administration is committed to ensuring public and cultural heritage safety, enhancing permanent safety infrastructure, and establishing policies for orderly viewing and foreign visitor guidance.