Seoul: The government has collaborated with Hybe, the entertainment agency of the renowned K-pop group BTS, to establish an emergency communication hotline. This initiative is aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures in preparation for the group's upcoming comeback concert, scheduled to take place this week.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Science and ICT, along with the Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) and Hybe, have created a three-way communication channel. This setup is designed to address potential cybersecurity threats during the concert, which will be held at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Saturday. The authorities have expressed concerns about possible online threats linked to the event, prompting this proactive measure.

The anticipated turnout for the concert is significant, with police estimating around 260,000 attendees. This number is expected to surpass the crowd size of the 2002 World Cup, where up to 250,000 people gathered. The concert will also reach a global audience through a live broadcast on Netflix, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity protocols.

To ensure the event's smooth execution, KISA will conduct continuous monitoring of 37 websites associated with the concert. This vigilance is intended to identify any security vulnerabilities and provide necessary technical support. The agency aims to prevent threats like distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which could disrupt the event.

In addition to KISA's efforts, officials from the science ministry will be present at the concert venue to facilitate emergency communication systems. Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon has assured that the government is committed to maintaining a stable telecommunications environment during the concert. To support this, 18 mobile base stations will be installed at the venue in collaboration with mobile carriers and Netflix.