Gender minister accused of staying at an air-conditioned accommodation during Jamboree

Despite Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's ordering the gender equality and family minister to remain at the camp, she stayed at a center equipped with bathrooms, shower booths, separate washstands and air conditioning.

Gender Equality Minister Kim Hyun-sook speaks at a press briefing at Saemangeum in Buan County, North Jeolla, on Aug. 7. [YONHAP]

Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook is facing further criticism for her actions during the World Scout Jamboree, which officially concluded on Aug.12.

Despite Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's order to remain within the campsite as part of the government's crisis management efforts, Kim chose to spend her night off-camp at an accommodation with amenities including clean showers and toilets as well as air conditioning.

This decision contrasted with that of the Minister of Interior Affairs and Safety Lee Sang-min, who camped alongside the scouts.

It has been revealed that Kim stayed at the Korea National Park Service's Byeonsanbando Ecological Exploration Center, located roughly 19 kilometers (11.8 miles) away, from Aug. 1 when the global scout event began, until Aug. 8 when an evacuation was necessary due to the approaching Typhoon Khanun.

The center's rooms have bathrooms, shower booths, separate washstands and air conditioning. The Ecological Exploration Center is a new building that opened in July.

The stark contrast highlights the disparities in Kim's accommodations and the challenging environment faced by the scouts at Saemangeum in North Jeolla.

They dealt with extreme heat without proper cooling systems, lack of shade, bug infestations due to standing water from the prior heavy rainfall as well as inadequate shower and toilet facilities.

The British and American scouts withdrew early from the event due to these unfavorable conditions.

According to the Prime Minister's office on Aug. 3, Prime Minister Han contacted Minister Kim, instructing her to remain at the campsite to ensure the safety of the 43,000 participants from 154 countries until the event's conclusion.

Both Kim and the Minister of Interior Affairs and Safety were heads of the World Scout Jamboree organizing committee, while North Jeolla Gov. Kim Kwan-young headed the committee's execution.

Han's order came as the World Scout Jamboree faced mounting problems, including nearly 1,000 scouts falling ill from heat exhaustion, unhygienic toilets, poor food supplies including rotten eggs and overpricing by the GS25 convenience store.

The central government took over management of the event from the North Jeolla government and the organizing committee soon after, downplaying the situation and restricting media access.

North Jeolla Gov. Kim last week blamed the problems at Saemangeum on the development of social media and scouts uploading pictures of their problems.

During the call, Prime Minister Han said, "Minister Kim should remain on site as the top person in charge and look after the safety of every participant until the very end," emphasizing the need for her presence to quickly address emerging issues.

In contrast to Minister Kim, Interior Minister Lee stayed at the campsite between Aug.4 and Aug.6.

Despite Lee also being one of the heads of the organizing committee, he was only able to oversee the preparation of the World Scout Jamboree in late July as he was suspended from his job due to an impeachment motion filed by the Democratic Party.

The Constitutional Court unanimously rejected the impeachment, allowing Lee to return to work on July 25.

Minister Kim also faced public criticism earlier due to the inappropriate comments she made about the handling of the World Scout Jamboree at Saemangeum.

When asked about whether the problems at the World Scout Jamboree could negatively impact Busan's bid in hosting the World Expo in 2030 at a daily briefing, Kim said it would not.

"Conversely, it demonstrates Korea's capacity in handling emergencies to the world," Kim said. "This competence will be reflected in the Busan Expo bid."

The Board of Audit and Inspection initiated an investigation into the World Scout Jamboree, encompassing the North Jeolla government, the organizing committee and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. The investigation aims to address concerns and provide clarity regarding the handling of the event.

Protesters call to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family at a rally held Sunday near Gangnam Station in Seocho District, southern Seoul. [NEWS1]

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