BTS Concert in Seoul Shocked, Police Secure Man Carrying Weapon

The famous K-Pop group Bang Tan Sonyeo (BTS)

JAKARTA - The free concert in celebration of the comeback of the famous K-Pop group Bang Tan Sonyeo (BTS) entitled "Arirang" which was held at Gwanghamun Square, Saturday, March 21 did not go smoothly even though local authorities had tried to provide maximum security.

The police stopped a number of people who were caught carrying potentially dangerous items.

According to the Korea Daily news agency, at around 17.26 local time, police detained a 55-year-old man named Kwon who was detected carrying a gas weapon and an electric shock device while passing through a metal detector near the Kyobo Life building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Finally he was escorted and detained at the nearest police station, quoted from Allkpop, Sunday, March 22.

For information, in South Korea, possession of a gas weapon requires a permit from the local police chief. Applicants must be at least 20 years old and have no special conditions that could disqualify them such as mental illness or a criminal record for violent offenses.

Permits for gun ownership can be issued through police stations or official sellers, and violations can result in penalties under the Law on the Control of Firearms, Knives, and Explosives.

Kwon claimed that he brought the weapon not to disrupt the BTS concert, but only as a personal protection tool.

"I was involved in the lawsuit for six years after being cheated, and I brought these items for personal safety. I was on my way to meet a lawyer in the building next door," said Kwon.

Police are currently verifying whether the martial arts he carried were legally permitted and determining the next steps.

In addition to Kwon, at another checkpoint, the police also confiscated a folding knife for camping as a dangerous item from a tourist from Germany named Hackers.

"I usually carry it in my backpack, but the knife was detected by the metal detector and confiscated. I understand it's the rules, but it's not common to experience this kind of tight security in the city, so it was a surprise," said Hackers.

Previously, police at the BTS concert command center integrated at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts reported detecting a kitchen knife with a metal detector belonging to a chef. Several other people were also stopped by the police when they tried to carry small knives in their backpacks. They claimed they only intended to peel fruit while walking, but were still detained by the authorities.

The police emphasized that strict security measures were implemented to ensure the safety of all BTS concert visitors.