Seoul City to Sponsor BTS Comeback Concerts, Approves Us of Its Name and Notifies HYBE

 For riginal article: YNA

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"Public Benefit Through Cultural Events and Tourism Promotion... Boosting the Economy Through a K-pop Hallyu Festival"

Special Inspection of 127 Elevators Around Gwanghwamun to Ensure Crowd Safety and Welcome Global Fans

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The Seoul Metropolitan Government will officially sponsor BTS's comeback concert, scheduled to be held at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 next month. In preparation, the city is conducting special inspections of elevators at major public facilities in the area and cracking down on price gouging at tourist site. 

In a phone interview with Yonhap News on the 10th, a Seoul City official said, "HYBE requested permission to use the designation 'Sponsored by Seoul City' for BTS's comeback project. A free a review, we decided to approve the request and notified HYBE of the decision on the 29th of last month. 

Following an Internal review, the city concluded that the event serves the public interest and contributes to muncipal objectives, and therefore found no issue in allowing the use of its sponsorship name. 

According to a " Sponsorship Name Usage Review Report" prepared by the city last month, "This event consists of a concert and various related programs for citizens and international visitors. It is considered to have public value as it provides experiential and performance-based cultural content and is expected to attract foreign tourist."

The report also stated, "Given the global popularity of K-pop, the event is expected to draw overseas fans, create a festive atmosphere, and contribute to revitalizing Seoul's tourism market and local economy."

With the city's approval, HYBE is now permitted to use the phrase "Sponsored by Seoul City" in promotional materials for the BTS comeback project. 

To ensure the event's successful execution, the city will conduct special safety inspections of public-use elevators in the Gwanghwamun area from February 24 to March 6.

A total of 127 elevators within a 1-kilometet radius of the venue will be inspected, including those at subway stations such as City Hall, Jonggak, Eulijiro 1-ga, Anguk, Gyeongbokgung, and Gwanghwamun; six cultural facilities including the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, the National Palace Museum of Korea, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art; and five other facilities, including New Seoul Hotel, Korean Hotel, and Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. 

The inspections will be jointly conducted by eight inspectors from the Korea Elevator Safety Agency and local district offices. If any deficiencies are found, the managing authorities will be notified for corrective action, and fines will be imposed for legal violations. 

Inspectors will comprehensively check elevator door locking systems, abnormal noises from drive units, brake installation conditions, emergency communication devices, call button functionally, and tactile paving for people with disabilities. 

For escalators, inspectors will focuse on the stability of landing plates, installations of emergency stop devices, and the condition of non-fixed safety guards. 

Anticipating large crowds, the city is making extensive efforts to ensure public safety and warmly welcome fans from around the world. On February 4, Mayor Oh Se-hoon chaired a special meeting to review key issues related to BTS comeback event and discuss comprehensive response measures. 

Based on expert consulrariins, the city has strengthened its review of safety management plans and will monitor crown density in real time using urban data an CCTV through its disaster and safety control center. It has also inspected whether accommodation providers are complying with posted room rates and plans to deploy "mystery shoppers" at traditional markets and major tourist destinations frequented by foreign visitors to crack down on excessive pricing.