| German Scouts and adult volunteers participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree arrive at Myongji University's dormitory in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, after leaving the main campsite in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, as all participants were relocated across the country amid a typhoon threat. Yonhap |
'It is sad because we don't have a chance to continue our adventure and meet Scouts from other countries'
By Jun Ji-hye
About 37,000 Scouts participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree left their campsite in Saemangeum for Seoul and seven other regions across the country on Tuesday ― four days ahead of schedule due to the rapidly-approaching Typhoon Khanun.
Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min said the government mobilized more than 1,000 buses to relocate about 37,000 people from 156 countries.
The global youth event initially drew over 43,000 Scouts from 159 nations, but the 1,500-member U.S. and 4,400-member U.K. delegations, along with participants from Singapore, pulled out of the campsite earlier citing risks posed by a heat wave.
“Four police helicopters and 273 patrol cars were also mobilized for the safe movement of the participants,” Lee said during the last media briefing held in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province that has served as the venue for this year's World Scout Jamboree.
According to the government, the participants were scattered throughout 128 accommodations across the country, including 64 in Gyeonggi Province, 18 in South Chungcheong Province, 17 in Seoul and eight in Incheon.
Most of the places are college dormitories or government and corporate training facilities.
Some 1,200 Belgian Scouts were relocated to Yonsei University's Songdo Dormitory, while about 1,000 Swedish Scouts were moved to Baekseok University's dormitory in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. About 1,200 German Scouts and adult volunteers unpacked their bags at Myongji University's dormitory in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province
Religious groups have also pitched in, offering their facilities such as prayer houses and temple-stay facilities as accommodations for the Jamboree participants.
| Scouts and adult volunteers participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree line up next to a bus departing the Jamboree venue in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, Tuesday, as all participants were relocated across the country amid a typhoon threat. Yonhap |
A participant from a European country said she had mixed feelings about leaving the campsite that was criticized by many for being unprepared in many aspects, including shortages of toilets, shower and cooling facilities amid the scorching heat wave gripping the country. She participated in the Jamboree as a unit leader in charge of Scouts from her country.
“I am happy that we are leaving, because of the safety of our participants,” she told The Korea Times, asking not to be named. “But at the same time, it is sad because we don't have a chance to continue our adventure and meet Scouts from other countries. We paid a lot and we were waiting for four years to come here.”
| Buses carrying Scouts and adult volunteers participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree leave the main venue in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, Tuesday, as all participants were relocated across the country amid a typhoon threat. Yonhap |
Jamboree not over
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stressed that the early departure from the campsite did not mean the suspension of the largest international youth camp, but was part of crisis management measures to preemptively protect all participants.
“Companies, the military and the people have joined hands with the central and local governments to ensure the safety of the event,” Han said during a Cabinet meeting. “The government will give its full efforts until the end to complete the event successfully.”
An official at the organizing committee for the 25th World Scout Jamboree said Scouts, during the rest of their stay in Korea, will participate in programs prepared by the World Organization of the Scout Movement as well as a variety of other cultural programs offered by local governments and other entities.
“We are discussing details with relevant institutions and will make an announcement as soon as things are set,” the official said.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will operate nine of the capital's representative cultural facilities, including the Seoul Museum of Art, on an extended schedule. Their closing times will be extended from 6 p.m. to 9 to 10 p.m.
| Scouts participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree take down their tents to leave the main venue in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, Tuesday, as all participants were relocated across the country amid a typhoon threat. Yonhap |
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced later in the day that a K-pop concert will be held at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, after the closing ceremony that will be held at the same place.
Given that thousands of the participants who were scattered across the country will gather again on that day, severe traffic congestions in the capital is expected throughout the day.
The concert was originally scheduled to take place in Saemangeum last Sunday, but was postponed due to concerns about accidents and heat-related illnesses.
Following this change, the concert was scheduled to take place at Jeonju World Cup Stadium ― about an hour's drive from the campsite ― on Friday, but the venue was changed again this time to Seoul stadium.
Originally, 11 K-pop groups, including IVE, were planning to be featured at the concert, but the majority of the original lineup is expected to change to accommodate the new date and venue. The culture ministry said the complete lineup will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Polish President Andrzej Duda canceled plans to visit Korea for the Jamboree event due to the typhoon and the dispersion of Jamboree participants from the event's venue, according to the presidential office.
A diplomatic source noted tensions following Belarus' violation of Polish airspace earlier this month could have been another factor for the cancelation.
Poland is set to host the next edition of the Jamboree in its port city of Gdansk in 2027.