Thousands of Scouts in South Korea evacuated as a looming storm approaches

Scouts Evacuated from World Scout Jamboree in South Korea Due to Tropical Storm

The South Korean government has made the decision to evacuate tens of thousands of Scouts from the World Scout Jamboree as a tropical storm approaches. The Scouts had been facing difficulties with heat, hygiene, and land use controversies, leading to the departure of British and American Scouts over the weekend. The decision to abandon the coastal campsite in Saemangeum was made after alarms were raised about Tropical Storm Khanun heading towards the Korean Peninsula.

Tropical Storm Khanun is currently passing through waters south of Japan’s Yakushima island, with warnings issued for heavy rain and high winds in southern regions of Kyushu and parts of Shikoku island in Japan. The 37,000 Scouts, representing 156 countries, have safely departed the Jamboree campsite and will be accommodated in Seoul and the surrounding area.

Despite the evacuation, South Korean officials plan to continue the cultural events and activities associated with the Jamboree, including a K-Pop concert in Seoul on Friday. Scouts from Britain, who had already transferred to hotels in Seoul due to extreme heat, have taken the opportunity to visit a war memorial and the former presidential palace.

The expense of evacuating the Scouts is causing concern for UK Scouts, who estimate that they will need to use over £1 million from their reserves. This unexpected expense could impact their activities for the next five years. The decision to evacuate was made due to concerns about sanitation, food availability, medical services, and the punishing heat. Matt Hyde, the chief executive of UK Scouts, expressed his disappointment with the organizers for not addressing these concerns adequately.

Several hundred scouts from Norway and the 1,500-member Swedish contingent have already left the site, citing concerns about the complications of moving with tens of thousands of other Scouts. Meanwhile, Northern European nations are facing extreme weather conditions, with strong winds and heavy rains causing floods and damage across several countries.

The World Scout Jamboree had originally been planned to draw attention and investment to the controversial reclaimed land area of Saemangeum. However, there were concerns about hosting such a large number of young people in a treeless area with little protection from the extreme heat. Despite efforts by the government to make the event safe and comfortable, with additional medical staff, air-conditioned buses, and improved facilities, participants still suffered from heat-related ailments.

Since the completion of the seawall in 2010, the reclaimed land in Saemangeum has remained largely barren, leading to debates about the project’s ecological impact. Local officials continue to pursue plans for infrastructure development, including new highways, ports, and an international airport, although construction on the airport has not yet begun. Following the Scouts’ departure, the campsite in Saemangeum will not be used for any other events.

Tropical Storm Khanun continues to affect Japan’s southwestern islands, causing power outages and damage to homes. The storm is slowly moving north and is expected to gain strength slightly before making landfall in South Korea. The South Korean government is taking measures to prevent injuries or deaths, including evacuations and the shutdown of vulnerable coastal areas and hiking trails. They are also ensuring the safety of the Scouts during the storm.

This evacuation marks the first time in over 100 years of World Scout Jamborees that such challenges have been faced. The World Organization of the Scout Movement commends South Korea’s government for their efforts in mobilizing resources for the relocation. Despite the disappointment of shifting plans, the safety of the Scouts remains the top priority.

Contributors: Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Cara Rubinsky in London.