KT Corporation has decided to fully close its headquarters building on March 21 local time, when a concert by K-pop group BTS is scheduled nearby, citing safety concerns as large crowds of fans are expected to gather in the area.
According to people familiar with the matter, the telecommunications company recently finalized an internal decision to shut down the building for the day and has begun preparations. Employee access will be completely restricted, and all commercial facilities inside the building will suspend operations.
Notices have already been delivered to businesses operating inside the headquarters—including coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants—informing them that they must close during the event.
A large number of domestic and international fans are expected to converge on the area for the concert, potentially affecting nearby office buildings and retail districts.
KT’s newly built headquarters is located directly across from the concert venue and has been regarded as a prime viewing location for the event. The proximity has even prompted some office workers in neighboring companies to joke that they would volunteer to work that weekend if they were KT employees.
A KT official said the company decided on the closure because of concerns that the massive crowds could create serious safety risks.
“The building will be completely closed on the day of the concert,” the official said. “Access will be prohibited not only to the commercial facilities on the first and second floors but also to all employees.”
The headquarters building was previously partially closed in 2020 after confirmed cases of COVID‑19 were reported during the pandemic.
