The big world scout party currently being held in South Korea will end earlier than expected due to a typhoon alert, the world scout movement announced on Monday (August 7th). “The World Organization of the Scout Movement received confirmation this morning from the Government of the Republic of Korea that due to the expected impact of Typhoon Khanun an early departure will be arranged for all participants,” it said. she said in a press release.
“We urge the government to expedite the departure plan and provide all necessary resources and support to participants during their stay and until they return to their home countries,” the movement added. No details were provided on where attendees will be met before heading home. According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, all activities scheduled for Monday afternoon have been canceled, and participants will start leaving the camp on Tuesday morning.
The office of South Korean President Yoon Seok-youl said in a statement that participants could be relocated to Seoul and its surrounding areas. Powerful Typhoon Khanun, which killed at least one person as it passed over the Japanese archipelago of Okinawa last week, is expected to reach South Korea on Thursday, according to weather services.
Extreme heat, Covid and failing organization
About 43,000 people from all over the world had joined the giant scouts’ “jamboree” in late July in Saemangeum, on the west coast of South Korea. The festival, held every four years, was to end on August 12. But the event quickly turned into a nightmare: thousands of participants, including the 4,000 Britons and 1,500 Americans, left the rally early last weekend due to extreme heat and poor organization.
According to local authorities and organizers, around 600 participants suffered heat stroke or other ailments related to the scorching temperatures. The British retreated to Seoul, while the Americans were welcomed by their country’s army at its base in Pyeongtaek, south of the capital. Singapore Scouts also decided to leave the site earlier than planned. The Korean peninsula is currently experiencing a humid heatwave, with daily temperatures of 35-38°C, which has triggered the maximum heat wave alert.
Local media have called the situation a “national disgrace” in recent days, given the time the country has had to prepare for the gigantic summer gathering. The South Korean government has sent military doctors and nurses to the scene, as well as air-conditioned buses and refrigerated trucks loaded with ice water. Emergency aid of 6.9 billion won (4.8 million euros) was also adopted.
In addition to the heat issues, local media reported poor conditions for the campsite, with “less than ideal” sanitary facilities including showers and rudimentary toilets. Not to mention the many insect bites. To make matters worse, the regional authorities indicated on Saturday that seventy participants in the great mass of the scouts had contracted the Covid.