Pending tropical storm prompts evacuation of South Korea’s troubled World Scout Jamboree

Plagued over recent days by soaring temperatures, sanitation issues and inadequate catering, leading to some national contingents leaving the site, the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea is to be evacuated due to the threat of an incoming tropical storm.

Opened on 1st August, and set to run until 12th August, the 25th World Scout Jamboree has seen the gathering of more than 40,000 scouts from all over the world at a camp near the south-western town of Buan.

Hosted this year by the South Korean Government, the 12-day event had been due to see scouts from the scouting movement in from 155 countries engage in various experience activities.

However, the event has been plagued by problems from the very start.

As of the weekend, hundreds had fallen ill amid 35C heat resulting in groups from Singapore, the UK and the USA withdrawing from the event citing a lack of shade, lack of food for those with dietary needs, poor sanitation and insufficient medical services.

Citing an email to parents, Reuters reported that the US scouts moved to a US army base about 175 kilometres from the site.

As of yesterday, the South Korean Government told organisers that with severe Tropical Storm Khanun, which has already forced evacuations and cut off power to thousands in Japan, approaching it was no longer safe to hold the event.

With the storm forecast to reach South Korea's southern Jeolla province on Thursday, the South Korean Government is now evacuating the site.

From Tuesday at 10am local time, South Korea's vice minister for Disaster and Safety Management, Kim Sung-ho advised that 36,000 people still in Saemangeum will be taken by bus to safer areas.

He advised that the event "is still continuing," but "the location is only changing because of the natural disaster.”

Officials are seeking alternative venues and accommodation in and around Seoul.

Image: Participants at the 25th World Scout Jamboree 2023 Saemangeum in Buan, Jeonbuk, South Korea. Credit: Shutterstock.