Busan Government implements a Special Task Force for Safety & Security during Jimin's Birthday Week due to overwhelming crowds

Jimin's popularity is remarkable, with his birthday evolving into a global celebration that spans the entire month of October, culminating in heightened activity during his actual birthday week. Fans from around the world honor him through various creative projects, charity events, and celebrations.

Many fans even travel to South Korea, particularly to Busan, Jimin’s hometown, to visit key locations like his father’s café. Over the years, large crowds have gathered there as early as 10 a.m., with seating often filling up quickly. Each year, the number of visitors grows, and last year saw one of the largest crowds to date, prompting the police to manage safety and security.

In response, the Busan local government has officially created a task force to ensure the safety of guests during the birthday celebrations. With Jimin’s birthday drawing in significant tourism and boosting the local economy, the government considers it an important event, making the task force a key part of ensuring that festivities go smoothly each year.

It is yet again 'Jimtober' as the month of October has popularly become known (Jimin + October), and the Busan local government has made good on its word and implemented the plan!

Korean media reports: 

"As the birthday of Jimin, a member of the world-famous group BTS, approaches, the local government and police are making all-out efforts for safety management. They are preparing for any safety risks as thousands of people visit the café run by Jimin's father."

The Busan Ilbo reports that due to the thousands of visitors expected, a task force of 36 has been mobilized to help with safety at ZMillennial Cafe during Jimin's birthday!

Below is a transcript of the published article.

BTS Jimin's birthday: local government puts all-out safety management into action

At around 1:50 pm on the 11th, in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, a number of foreigners are busy taking pictures in front of the café run by Mr. Park, the father of BTS Jimin. They visited the café to celebrate Jimin’s upcoming birthday. At the main entrance of the café, there were gifts and flowers left by fans from Hungary, Ukraine, Mexico, Japan, China, and other countries.

Kim (33, Seoul), who identified himself as a BTS fan, said, “I came down to Busan early because I thought it would be too crowded this weekend.”

As the birthday of Jimin, a member of the world-famous group BTS, approaches, the local government and police are making all-out efforts for safety management. They are preparing for any possible safety accidents/risks as thousands of people visit the café run by Jimin's father.

On the 11th, Busan's Nam-gu Office announced that it has set a period of intensive management from the 11th to the 14th. This is to prepare for safety accidents related to fans flocking to the café on the 13th to celebrate BTS Jimin's birthday.

Previously, in the aftermath of the Itaewon disaster in 2022, the safety management obligation of local government heads was applied to festivals without organizers. In cases where a local festival is expected to have many participants but there is no organizer or the organizer is unclear, the head of the local government must establish a safety management plan and take necessary measures.

It is estimated that hundreds or thousands of BTS fans gather at the café every year to celebrate Jimin's birthday. This year, Jimin's birthday falls on a weekend, so it is expected that even more fans will gather.

According to the Nam-gu Office, the number of fans visiting the café during Jimin's birthday this year is estimated to be up to 3,000. A Nam-gu Office official explained that up to 400 people could gather near the café at any given moment.

The Nam-gu Office will mobilize 36 staff members, including the disaster situation room, to strengthen on-site safety. As BTS fans visit the café in large buses, the need for road control has been highlighted. The police has also been asked for cooperation in cracking down illegal parking.

An official from the Nam-gu Office Safety Management Division said, “Considering that BTS Jimin’s birthday falls on a weekend this year, we have deployed more safety management personnel than last year,” and “We will make all-out efforts to manage safety, including street parking, illegal parking, and crowd management.”

Jimin's power and impact is insurmountable, which isn't surprising considering the special and unique kind of talent and skill that he possesses. This has propelled him into the status of being the top soloist currently in the country, following his official solo debut in 2023. His success has been so immense and historic that even American media outlets have constantly mentioned him among the top 25 biggest artists of this year! [read here]. This and the fact that he has the kindest and purest soul, often being termed by fans as their 'source of comfort' and their 'healing idol', makes it expected that his birthday would become such a big deal!