South Korea: 1,000 Buses Safely Transport Scouts Away from World Jamboree Affected by Disaster

 

Over 1,000 buses have initiated the process of transporting scouts participating in an international event in South Korea away from the campsite, in anticipation of an approaching tropical storm.

Accompanied by helicopters and police vehicles, the buses are being escorted to safety from the jamboree site, which has been impacted by the aftermath of a disaster.

This potential storm hazard follows closely on the heels of a situation where several hundred attendees at the camp fell ill in the midst of scorching temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F).

In response to the unfolding situation, South Korea's president has curtailed his vacation to actively manage the repercussions stemming from the event.

Gathered with the participation of over 40,000 youth hailing from 155 nations, the World Scout Jamboree held in Saemangeum has been overshadowed by instances of sickness and notable scrutiny directed at its planning and amenities since its commencement.

Ahmad Alhendawi, representing the World Organization of the Scout Movement, remarked in a statement, "In the span of over a century of World Scout Jamborees, this marks the very first instance where we've encountered challenges of such magnitude and complexity."

The expansive occasion has faced considerable challenges due to an unprecedented heatwave and the impending storm, according to the authorities.

The process of relocating the scouts from Saemangeum commenced at 09:00 local time (01:00 BST) on Tuesday, involving a convoy of buses transporting them to various inland destinations, including Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi province.

In earlier instances, scout contingents from the UK, Singapore, and the US had opted to depart the event prematurely. The British contingent, in particular, cited subpar sanitation and food quality as contributing factors for their early departure.

The majority of the remaining scouts are slated to be transported from the campsite to 128 different lodging facilities scattered across eight provinces and cities neighboring Seoul, as highlighted by Interior Minister Lee Sang-min on Tuesday morning.

Assurances were given by the government to ensure the participants' safety and comfort at their new accommodations, which encompass university dormitories and hotels.

The commitment to the continuation of the Jamboree was underscored, with a fervent hope that the scouts could successfully conclude their scheduled activities on a positive note.

In a bid to alleviate the national embarrassment surrounding the event, a South Korean legislator has made an appeal to the military, urging them to grant three members from the renowned seven-member super K-pop group BTS an exemption from their compulsory military service. This proposal aims to have these BTS members engage in entertaining the stranded scouts.

Sung Il-jong articulated on his Facebook page that the previously unoccupied schedules of these "valued guests" required infusion with "the influence of Korean culture."

As a revised arrangement, a concluding ceremony is now scheduled for Saturday at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, followed by a K-pop concert, as confirmed by South Korea's Ministry of Culture on Tuesday.

Described as a "source of national embarrassment" by Korean media, the event has faced criticism for its lack of preparation despite authorities having six years to ready a site plagued by inadequate drainage, basic shower facilities, and toilets.

Acknowledging the deficiencies, government organizers conceded that there were "shortcomings" in terms of hygiene. The scout leader also acknowledged in a LinkedIn post that the event had a "challenging beginning with... services and amenities."

The imminent threat of Severe Tropical Storm Khanun, which has already led to evacuations and power outages affecting thousands in Japan, is predicted to make its way to South Korea's southern Jeolla province by Thursday. While downgraded from its initial typhoon classification, the storm system still carries powerful winds and heavy rainfall to the region.

Heatwaves similar to the one experienced at the campsite have become more frequent, intense, and prolonged due to human-induced climate change. Elevated sea surface temperatures also contribute to more intensified storms and increased instances of extreme rainfall.

Despite initial assertions from the organizers that the event would persist despite the weather forecasts, it was officially confirmed on Monday that the scouts would be evacuated and the campsite closed in light of the approaching typhoon.