First of all, I want to say sorry to friends of whole world and their parents who must have been in such a hurry to find and read this article.
Problems at the Saemangeum Jamboree
- No heat measures
- Lack of medical facilities
- Food problems
- Overcharge
- Unsanitary environment
Although a budget of close to 117.1 billion won was invested for 6 years, the main ‘center’, which will be used only once, is still under construction(The building is under construction at a cost of 45 billion won and is scheduled to be completed next year)
The site for the Saemaul Jamboree held this time is a reclaimed ‘reclaimed land’, and it took nearly five and a half years to reclaim it, and it turned into a ‘swamp’ due to the continuous heatwave and heavy rain, in addition to the inability to complete the infrastructure.
It was toxic hot weather even for adults.
There were frequent heat wave warnings from August 1st, and even though I was in Seoul, the hot weather continued to the extent that even adults would sweat a lot even if they stayed still. Giving minors a terrible hell in such harsh conditions. Regarding heat-related patients, some operators said, ‘It was a minor thing to rest in the shade for those who lost consciousness in the heat for a while.’ Well… they seem to think there’s something 5000% different between ‘heat stroke’ and ‘heat illness’.
massive pest damage
In humid and hot places in summer, especially after rain, insects increase exponentially. In particular, standing water puddles were the best conditions for mosquitoes. The Jamboree Organizing Committee not only had no understanding of site selection, but also did not try to look into other countries’ cases at all. The most absurd fact is that about a year ago, on October 25, 2022, Standing Committee member Lee Won-taek pointed out problems at the Jamboree venue and listed improvements, but Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook made a boast, but the event went on without any improvement. was held
In the end, ‘Korean-style bureaucracy’ trampled on the children’s dreams.
Thousands at Scout camp move into hotels after S Korea heatwave – BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66407392
I am very sorry for the greed of ‘adults’ who forced survival on 40,000 young people from all over the world.
Saemangeum Jamboree Timeline
July 31, 2023
Progressive Party, Justice Party, and civil society groups in Jeonbuk region claim “concern over heat wave and heavy rain, cancellation of the 2023 World Jamboree or major revision of all schedules”
August 1, 2023
Opening of ‘2023 Saemangeum Jamboree’, 21 cases of heat illness
August 2, 2023
Saemangeum Jamboree Opening Ceremony, 88 people exhausted/injured (Gimje/Buan/Gochang Police Station Gapho Emergency, 2nd Stage Issued by the Fire Headquarters)
August 3, 2023
Saemangeum Jamboree safety management emergency, Organizing Committee announced ‘count of 108 thermal patients at opening ceremony’,
Jamboree fire station mobilized 304 ambulances in one day, ambulance and Buan Coast Guard (18 people) were put in support, fire authorities requested to stop the event Controversy over ‘ignoring’ by Organizing Committee, restriction on coverage of ‘Delta Zone’ by Organizing Committee,
Jeonbuk provincial councilor (Yeom Yeong-seon) controversy over ‘derogatory comments’ by Korean participants at the Jamboree, emergency support of 3 billion won by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety
August 4, 2023
2023 – 28 COVID-19 patients occurred, the government deployed 130 cooling buses in preparation for the heat wave
- At least from this point on, cooling tents, air-conditioned buses, and 100,000 ice water supplies were supplied.
- As soon as the government began to respond in earnest, it began to noticeably improve. In particular, cold water, supplies, garbage, toilets, etc.
August 5, 2023
The president instructed urgently to add tourism programs to see Korea’s industry, culture, history and nature.”
August 8, 2023
Eventually, at around 13:40 pm on August 7, 2023, the World Scout Federation posted a notice on its website saying, “The Korean government will expand support for delegations that decide to leave the site early and allow participants to continue the Jamboree experience in other parts of Korea.” I confirmed what I promised to do,” and decided to leave early.
I hope that the young friends who must have suffered from enduring the hot sun of August can rest in their homes in good health as soon as possible.
As a Korean, I am so ashamed. Those involved must take responsibility and return them safely.