Will Seoul Get a K-Pop Arena? Candidates Propose 70,000-Seat Venue Amid BTS Controversy

Democratic Party mayoral primary candidates Jeon Hyun-hee, Park Joo-min and Jung Won-oh (in ballot order) announced plans to build a new, large-scale performance venue in response to controversy over BTS’s use of Gwanghwamun Square.

Jeon made the remark during a special “100-Minute Debate” at MBC in Sangam-dong, Mapo District. She acknowledged that Gwanghwamun Square had caused significant public inconvenience — from traffic restrictions and disruptions to local businesses to security checkpoints and searches.

She said the core problem is not why the square was used but that “we have BTS but no venue,” and she was the first to propose constructing a 70,000-seat Seoul Complex Dome Arena as a campaign pledge.

She also said she would transfer the exclusive streaming rights currently held by Netflix to Seoul’s TBS broadcaster, arguing that “we must stop allowing our assets to be taken overseas.”

Park said the episode raised questions about how to manage a specific group’s use of Gwanghwamun Square and how strictly to control the surrounding area during events. He proposed creating a Gwanghwamun Future Forum of citizens and experts to let residents set the square’s operating standards.

He emphasized a pledge to build a “super arena” that would let people experience K-pop up close while preserving residents’ daily routines.

Jung called it regrettable that inadequate demand forecasting for the concert caused many disruptions — such as limitations on wedding guests and delivery drivers — and noted that, as the BTS concert showed, South Korea has many world-class artists but lacks suitable venues.

He said he would build a K-pop arena on city-owned idle land in Sangam-dong and program a variety of performances to attract international visitors, stressing the arena’s potential to draw tourists in large numbers and enhance spectator safety.

Earlier, during the “Omniscient Citizen Perspective” segment, the three candidates each introduced their preferred healing spots in Seoul.

Jeon chose the Dongdaemun fashion apparel market, saying it is struggling with vacancies and has lost vitality, and proposed building an arena at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) site to restore Dongdaemun’s former prominence.

Park highlighted Mapo’s Peace Park and Buk-Seoul Dream Forest in Gangbuk District, promising to create more than 25 child-and-family forest parks across Seoul. Jung, a former Seongdong District mayor, cited Seongdong’s “Signature Garden,” noting the district took over a neglected site from the city and developed it with district funds.