Typhoon Approaches, 'Jamboree K-pop Concert' Stage Hastily Assembled... "Safety Accident Concerns"

Scaffolding Stage Vulnerable to Strong Winds
"Safety Review Impossible in One Day"

As the K-pop concert marking the finale of the ‘2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree’ is set to take place on the 11th at Seoul Sangam World Cup Stadium, concerns are rising over safety issues due to the rushed installation of the stage amid the approaching typhoon.

Originally scheduled for the 6th at the Saemangeum camping site area, the concert was postponed once and relocated to Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the 11th. However, as participants were urgently evacuated due to the typhoon, the venue was changed again to Seoul Sangam World Cup Stadium, causing a series of complications.

A stage is being set up for the Jamboree K-pop concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Jamboree Organizing Committee began installing the stage in front of the S-section goalpost at Seoul Sangam World Cup Stadium starting from the 8th, three days before the concert. Photos released from inside the stadium show the concert stage being constructed in the form of a ‘system scaffold (飛階),’ which looks like long rods tightly woven into a truss structure. Specific details such as the height or scale of the concert stage have not been disclosed. A representative from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, responsible for planning and managing the concert, stated, “We do not yet have plans for the structural installations,” and added, “We do not disclose separate preparation details to the media.”

However, with Typhoon Khanun approaching, concerns about safety accidents are growing. Although the Korean Peninsula, including Seoul, is expected to be out of the typhoon’s influence by the 11th when the concert is scheduled, the problem lies on the 10th when the stage installation work is to be completed. Temporary structures like scaffolding are vulnerable to strong winds and are usually subject to preventive measures during typhoons. On that day, strong winds with maximum instantaneous speeds of 15 to 25 m/s are forecasted for Seoul and northern inland Gyeonggi Province. Winds exceeding 15 m/s can cause signs to fall, and winds of 20 to 25 m/s make it difficult for people to walk. However, since scaffolding is not a permanent structure, there are no separate installation standards related to typhoons or disasters. Professor Park Hong-geun from Seoul National University’s Department of Architecture pointed out, “There are standards for permanent structures to withstand average wind speeds of 30 m/s, but no separate standards exist for temporary structures. It is essential to decide whether to hold the concert after checking the typhoon’s path and Seoul’s weather conditions, but holding an outdoor concert itself is a risky idea.”

Concerns have also been raised about whether proper safety inspections were conducted in advance. Professor Ahn Hyung-joon from Konkuk University’s Department of Architectural Engineering said, “Even if countermeasures are prepared, it is absolutely necessary to eliminate risk factors such as installations falling due to strong winds through expert reviews considering the special conditions of the site and weather,” and criticized, “The physical time required for experts to sufficiently consider characteristics and weather conditions is at least one day, which is insufficient.” He added, “Even if the organizers and constructors prepare countermeasures such as wires to brace against the typhoon, accidents can occur if there is a lack of expert knowledge. There is also a possibility that problems with the structures may arise before the concert due to the typhoon tonight, so experts need at least one last opportunity to inspect.”

In response, the organizing committee acknowledged concerns about safety accidents related to the typhoon but stated that there are no major issues. Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min said in a briefing the day before, “The biggest concern is that various sound equipment and the stage, which need to be installed in advance, might collapse or fall due to strong winds,” but added, “We will take thorough safety measures such as securing and covering them well.” He further explained, “Safety is the top priority, so if it is judged that the situation is not suitable for holding the concert, cancellation will be considered first, but currently, that possibility is very low.”

However, the organizing committee reportedly canceled the K-pop concert rehearsal scheduled for the 10th due to typhoon concerns, which undermines the persuasiveness of their explanation. Earlier, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety had also suspended all outdoor programs for Jamboree participants considering safety issues.

Meanwhile, the K-pop concert scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on the 11th at Seoul Sangam World Cup Stadium has confirmed appearances by 18 teams, including NewJeans, NCT Dream, ITZY, MAMAMOO, The Boyz, Shownu & Hyungwon (Monsta X unit), fromis_9, Zerobaseone, Kang Daniel, Kwon Eun-bi, Jo Yu-ri, P1Harmony, Kard, The New Six, ATBO, Psykers, HOLYBANG, and Liberante.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.