World Scout Jamboree officially kicks off with fireworks

Key speakers President Yoon Suk Yeol in a scout uniform and British adventurer Bears Grylls encouraged young audience to go out and experience and bond with others during the 12 day event held at Saemangeum in North Jeolla.

President Yoon Suk Yeol in a scout uniform shakes hand with a scout member at the official opening of the 12-day World Scout Jamboree held at Saemangeum, Buan County, North Jeolla on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

The 25th World Scout Jamboree kicked off officially on Wednesday with fireworks and cheers from more than 43,000 scouts that had gathered from across the world on the reclaimed land at Saemangeum in North Jeolla.

The young scouts aged between 14 and 17 from 159 countries responded loudly when the camp chief Lee Hang-bok asked the crowd, “shall we start the Jamboree?” kicking off the 12 day event.

Among the keynote speakers included President Yoon Suk Yeol, who attended the ceremony with first lady Kim Keon-hee dressed in their scout uniform.

Yoon, who was among the last to speak at the event, told the young audience that he had learned a lot from being a scout when he was at their age and that the experience as a scout will help the people, who are gathered at the Jamboree, to become leaders.

“[The scout movement], which started off with only 20 members in the UK in 1907 today has taught independence, responsibility, helping your neighbors and to be dedicated to one’s country for more than 100 years,” Yoon said. “[These lessons learned from scouting] has also been a great help in my life.”

“The World Jamboree is solidarity of scouts and the platform of freedom and prosperity of young people,” Yoon said. “Look around you. You are not alone. Beside you are scouts that will be here with you. “Under this flag, scouts from 150 countries are your friends.”

He added that through such solidarity among the scouts, when joining forces, they will not only contribute to improving their communities but to go beyond and bring about positive influence to the world including fighting the immediate crisis that humanity faces.

“Looking at you today reminds me of the time when I was a scout,” Yoon said. “The excitement of outdoor activities and camping with others have been special memories.”

“For the next 10 days or so, you will be building friendship with other scouts all across the world through the 170 programs offered on the vast camping ground, the nearby ocean and at valleys," Yoon said.

He especially got applauded when he mentioned K-pop concerts as part of the cultural experiences.

British adventurer Bear Grylls at the opening ceremony of the World Scout Jamboree at Saemangeum in North Jeolla on Wednesdsay. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Other speakers included the famous TV adventruer Bear Grylls, the chief ambassador of the World Scouting.

“Anyoung scouts, Anyoung,” Grylls said using the Korean word for hello. “What a sight!.”

Grylls stressed that the scout movement is a worldwide force for good and that it is a united movement despite the different country, different background and different tradition that people have come from.

“But we are united as a movement,” Grylls said. “We are united by our shared promise. It is a promise we will make this world a better place.”

“Scouting is a beacon of hope, symbol of unity and you are a catalyst for change,” Grylls said.

The ceremony continued late into the night with a wide variety of performances including K-pop and even the “Circle of Life” from Disney’s The Lion King.

The world’s biggest youth event is held every four years and this is the second time that the event is being hosted in Korea.

The last time was in 1991.

The young scouts will be participating in various events including tree climbing and rafting during the 12 day event held under the theme of “Draw your Dream!”

Scout members putting on safety gear to jump trees at Buan County in North Jeolla on Wednesday where the World Scout Jamboree is being held for 12 days. [YONHAP]

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]