The 25th World Scout Jamboree concluded on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, with a spectacular closing ceremony held at the prestigious Seoul World Cup Stadium. Despite the challenges faced throughout the 12-day event, approximately 40,000 participants gathered in Seoul to witness the closing ceremony and enjoy the electrifying “K-pop Super Live” concert that followed. To ensure the smooth management of the crowd, a total of 2,500 police officers were present at the stadium, supported by 400 traffic police officers, 30 police cars, and 70 multilingual volunteers for traffic control.
During the closing ceremony, representatives of the Scout movement in South Korea took to the stage to hand over the Scout flag to representatives from Poland, the host country for the 26th World Scout Jamboree scheduled to take place in 2027. In his farewell speech, Ahmad Alhendawi, the secretary-general of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, expressed his admiration for the resilience and determination displayed by the delegates. He acknowledged the difficulties they faced and highlighted their ability to adapt and support one another, making this jamboree a unique and inspiring experience.
Originally planned to be held at the campsite in Saemangeum in North Jeolla Province, the closing ceremony was relocated to the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, and then to the Seoul World Cup Stadium due to concerns about accidents and heat-related illnesses, as well as the forecast of Typhoon Khanun. The 25th jamboree received criticism for the perceived lack of preparation and management in response to extreme weather conditions, which resulted in some countries withdrawing from the event early, before the evacuation order was issued for Saemangeum. In his closing speech, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duk-soo apologized sincerely to the attendees for the challenging conditions they endured during the event. He commended the Scouts for their spirit of responsibility and selflessness, emphasizing that their scouting values would contribute to global solidarity and cooperation.
Despite the trials faced during the two weeks, the Scouts displayed visible excitement for the much-anticipated K-pop concert. A total of 19 popular K-pop artists, including Mamamoo, NCT Dream, NewJeans, Itzy, and Kang Daniel, performed at the concert, hosted by actor Gong Myoung, Yuna of Itzy, and Hyein of NewJeans. The concert started with a captivating performance by the renowned dancing crew Holy Bang, followed by the Boyz, who energized the crowd with their latest single, “Lip Gloss.” The audience, wearing raincoats and waving light sticks, enthusiastically cheered as water sprayed into the stands, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. NewJeans captivated concertgoers with their hit songs “ETA” and “Hype Boy,” while beloved K-pop boy group NCT Dream concluded the concert with their latest singles “Yogurt Shake” and “ISTJ.”
After the concert, Scouts began to return to their homes, although the government assured additional support for those who wished to extend their stay in the country.
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