World Scout Jamboree overshadowed due to scorching heat in Korea

[Photo by Jin Chang-il]

The 25th World Scout Jamboree 2023 taking place in SaeManGeum, North Jeolla Province, South Korea, with the participation of over 40,000 scouts from around the world, is being overshadowed by a lack of preparation and complacency on the part of the government and the organizing committee regarding safety management.

The country has been preparing for the event for nearly six years after successfully bidding for the Jamboree in 2017, but it has not been able to properly address anticipated risks such as heat waves and crowd control.

Concerns are rising that this could potentially damage Korea’s reputation as a content powerhouse with its strong presence in K-pop, films, and dramas, as well as its success in hosting various global events.

During a press briefing held at the Jamboree press center on Thursday, Choi Chang-haeng, secretary-general of the Organizing Committee for the 25th World Scout Jamboree-2023, revealed that there were 108 cases of heat-related illnesses among attendees at the opening ceremony on the previous day.

When including other types of illnesses such as headaches, abdominal pain, and musculoskeletal injuries, the total number of patients related to the ceremony reached 139.

On Wednesday, a total of 992 patients visited hospitals, with 207 of them suffering from heat-related illnesses.

There are also issues with flooding in the camping areas and insufficient facilities for toilets and showers, leading to overcrowded conditions. Issues like overcharging at the canteen and poorly prepared meals have also caused resentment among participants.

Despite the issues, the organizing committee is criticized for evading responsibility. It stated that such situations can occur at any Jamboree held in any country.

The government had said last month that it thoroughly prepared for natural disasters such as heavy rains and heat waves and crises such as food poisoning but issues arose.

The poor campground conditions are being shared around the world on social media.

A parent whose child is participating in the Jamboree expressed frustration, saying that “I don’t understand how this could happen in Korea, a country that has successfully hosted every major international event since the 2002 World Cup.”

As the controversy over the management of the SaeManGeum site grew, the government mobilized the military to respond. The Ministry of National Defense has dispatched around 10 military doctors, nursing officers, and first responders to the Jamboree site, and plans to send 30 more.