Korean gov’t, businesses scramble to rescue World Scout Jamboree

The participants in the 2023 SaeManGeum World Scout Jamboree are playing in the water at a simple pool at a campsite in Buan-gun, North Jeolla Province, on Aug. 6. [Photo by Lee Seung-hwan]

The South Korean government and business circle are going all-out to keep the 25th World Scout Jamboree going in SaeManGeum, North Jeolla Province, after the event was criticized for its poor preparation and lax management amid the unusual heatwave.

Korea Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the Jamboree site on Sunday and urged related officials including Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Security and Public Administration Lee Sang-min, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyoon to be on site to resolve issues.

Korean businesses are also lending support by providing supplies to the event. Local governments have stepped up by offering their own tourism programs to Scouts from countries such as the U.S. and U.K. that have already pulled out.

Samsung Group dispatched a medical support team from Samsung Medical Center to SaeManGeum given that there have been cases of heat illnesses, burns, and insect bites.

The team consists of five doctors, four nurses, and two support staff.

Samsung Electronics Co. is also running a tour program for Jamboree participants to visit its Pyeongtaek and Hwaseong semiconductor factories and the Samsung Innovation Museum in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

LG Group is also donating 200,000 bottles of water and ionized beverages, 10,000 neck coolers, portable fans, and portable chargers through the combined efforts of its affiliates, including LG Household & Health Care Ltd. and LG Uplus Corp.

HD Hyundai Co. is also maintaining the venue facilities, and SPC Group is providing bread and ice cream.

Business organizations have also joined the support move.

The Federation of Korean Industries donated a total of 100,000 bottles of frozen water to prevent heat illnesses over the past five days. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry also provided 400 large ice boxes on Friday and Saturday.

Local governments have begun to organize alternative tours for people who have been evacuated from the Jamboree grounds.

In Seoul, Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Matt Hyde, chief executive of Scouts, and Gareth Weir, deputy ambassador at the British Embassy in Seoul, on Sunday to discuss alternative tourism events for the evacuated British Scouts.

The British Scouts who retired early at SaeManGeum World Scout Jamboree are cheering before departing on the Seoul city tour bus on the night of the 6th. [Photo by Yonhap]

The British Scouts, who are staying in Seoul, participated in a nighttime sightseeing tour on a city tour bus organized by the Seoul government. More than 200 Scouts boarded the free bus to see Seoul’s city center attractions, including Gwanghwamun, Mapo Bridge, Banpo Bridge, and Namsan Seoul Tower.

The Sejong Summer Festival, a dance, music, opera, and clubbing event held in Gwanghwamun Square, was moved up to Thursday, and Jamboree members are given free admission without prior reservation.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that it will support the “devotion of British veterans” experience related to the Korean War for British Scouts. The event will be held at the Battle of British Military Seolmari Battle Memorial Park, the War Memorial, and the Seoul National Cemetery from Tuesday for a total of 1,200 people.

Jeju Province inspected facilities such as Jeju Island-operated campgrounds and youth campsites under the assumption that Jamboree participants would arrive in Jeju.

If the facilities are unable to accommodate the participants, the government will provide 1,500 blankets and mattresses stored at Jeju International Airport.

Gangwon Province proposed hallyu, wellness, and leisure experience programs such as tours to Nami Island and Woljeong Temple.

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has sent emergency support guidelines to 147 temples and the Korean Cultural Training Institute that operate five-day temple stays.