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British, Singaporean and American scouting organizations have cited health concerns as they come out of a highly anticipated event for young people in South Korea.
by John Youn
Reporting from Seoul
The motto of Scouting is “Get ready”. But the 25th World Scout Jamboree, which takes place as South Korea reports warm weather, has drawn complaints from event organizers, including leaders of Scout organizations and the national government, for its obvious breach of the saying.
Hundreds of young participants were treated for heat exhaustion, and on Friday scouts’ associations in Britain, Singapore and the United States said their scouts would leave the camp for protection reasons.
Also on Friday, the World Organization of the Scout Movement said it has asked the South Korean government and the Korea Scout Association, which organizes the occasion with the World Scout body, to end the jamboree earlier than scheduled for Aug. 12.
Hours before the contingents announced their intention to leave, the South Korean government said it would spend millions of dollars on situations at the jamboree site by offering more water trucks, portable toilets, air-conditioned spaces and doctors, as well as stepping up cleanup and expanding the amount of food provided to the scouts.
The jamboree, which brings together Scouts from another host country every four years, attracted more than 43,000 people from 158 countries to Saemangeum on South Korea’s west coast. a questionable task some 15 years ago. The activities were carried out in many tents set up on plastic platforms on the grounds.
That coincided with one of the worst heat waves South Korea has recorded in years, with temperatures hovering around a hundred degrees and hovering at more than 77 at night. Bear Grylls, a British adventurer and the public face of the British Scouting Association, shared a video on social media. The media appeared him sweating at Wednesday’s jamboree. “It’s hot,” he says. Pay attention to others, please.
At least 138 other people were hospitalized with heat exhaustion between last Saturday, when many scouts began arriving at the camp, and Friday. The explorers said they struggled to find shade. Parents around the world have expressed fear for their children at the camp.
Justin Cauthen of Colorado, whose 14-year-old son is at the jamboree, said his son was vomiting due to severe dehydration Friday night but might not receive treatment because the clinic was closed. He said the organizers of the event were not meeting the scouts’ fundamental desires, such as proper food and an area to cool off.
“My wife and I just need him to come home safe and sound right now,” he said in an interview, adding, “I would like the Korean government to do it to the world. “
But other people said they enjoyed the party despite the heat. “The weather is challenging, but it’s great to see how Scouts help each other,” said Emily Jones, a British volunteer in her twenties.
Junbert Pabon, 23, a volunteer from the Philippines, had the feeling that “it’s a challenge, but I’m making it. “
Laura Pellegrini, who lives in New York and sent two teenage sons to the jamboree, said in an interview that her group of children, along with the Boy Scouts of America, stayed at a U. S. Army base. The U. S. Navy was on its first night Tuesday because of water and power at the camp. before returning to the Jamboree on Wednesday.
“Just disappointing that South Korea wasn’t prepared,” he said.
The U. S. contingent, made up of about 1,500 people, said it would have a normal day at the jamboree on Saturday before heading to Camp Humphreys on Sunday and staying there until Aug. 11.
Camp Humphreys is a U. S. Army base in the city of Pyeongtaek, approximately 210 km north of the Jamboree site.
“While we regret the lack of an early departure, this resolution ensures the protection of our explorers and eases strain on the jamboree site infrastructure,” the organization said in a statement.
The Singapore organization also left the camp, Jacob Murray, director of global events for the World Organization of the Scout Movement, said Saturday.
The British contingent, which numbers about 4,000 people, will continue jamboree activities at Seoul hotels for the rest of the time before returning home on Aug. 13, the organization said, adding: “We know this may be sad for some. “
It’s also a sadness for the South Korean government, which has been seeking to host the event since 2015. The leaders travelled the world asking Scout associations in Europe, Africa and America to vote for his candidacy.
After winning the bid in 2017 to host the event, she appointed high-level officials, including the prime minister and the minister of gender equality, to oversee the drawing up of the event’s plans. North Jeolla Province also earned about $80 million to host the event. announced the province in 2018.
John Yoon reports from The Times newsroom in Seoul. In the past, he reported for the coronavirus tracking team, which won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2021. He joined The Times in 2020. Learn more about John Yoon
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