Prime Minister's Office Prepares for Largest Crowd Since COVID-19, Full Support for 'World Jamboree'

Over 43,000 Participants from 170 Countries Expected This August
Establishing Crowd Management and Minimizing Visa Issuance
Prime Minister Chairs Government Meeting for Close Oversight

Ahead of the ‘2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree,’ the largest international event held in Korea since COVID-19, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Office for Government Policy Coordination have begun preparations focusing on minimizing visa issuance and managing crowd density.

On the 3rd, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo held the ‘2nd Government Support Committee for the World Jamboree’ at the Government Complex Seoul, where key government support tasks were reviewed and approved. Considering that the event will attract around 43,000 people from over 170 countries, the Office for Government Policy Coordination plans to pay special attention to minimizing crowd congestion and managing COVID-19 infection control measures.

The World Jamboree, held from August 1 to 12, is a large-scale event attended by approximately 43,000 youths from over 170 countries (4,467 from the UK, 2,200 from Germany, 1,934 from the Netherlands, 1,072 from the USA, 373 from Canada, 1,605 from Taiwan, 1,598 from Japan, etc.). The event traces its origins back to an international camping event held in 1920 in the UK, which involved scouts from 34 countries and about 8,000 participants.

Since Saemangeum was confirmed as the host region for the World Jamboree in August 2017, the government enacted the ‘Special Act on Support for the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree’ in 2018 and launched the ‘Jamboree Organizing Committee’ in 2020. In April of the following year, the government also established the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree Government Support Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister.

In 2017, when the World Organization of the Scout Movement confirmed Jeonbuk Saemangeum in Korea as the host site for the 2023 Jamboree at the general assembly held in Azerbaijan, the bidding team cheered. (Photo by Jeollabuk-do)

First, to ensure that the approximately 43,000 overseas participants face no inconvenience upon entry, the government will reduce visa issuance procedures and operate dedicated immigration screening counters and help desks at Incheon Airport. For events requiring crowd management, such as the opening ceremony (August 2), closing ceremony (August 11), and the K-POP concert, crowd control measures will be implemented. A participant dispersion plan will be established to minimize crowd density and congestion, and safety personnel and police officers will be deployed throughout the venue to support safe movement and viewing.

To prevent and respond to infectious diseases such as COVID-19, a joint infectious disease prevention and response council involving related agencies will be operated. Temporary screening clinics will be set up within the venue, and separate isolation spaces (temporary living facilities) will be prepared in case of patient occurrence. Since the outdoor event takes place in August, when heatwaves and heavy rains are frequent, a temporary weather observation station will be installed on-site, and 341 evacuation shelters, including nearby schools and gymnasiums, will be established to prepare for heavy rain.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Han said, “This event is a great opportunity to showcase Korea’s capabilities and status,” adding, “All ministries will actively cooperate to ensure that this becomes a ‘Safe Jamboree,’ a ‘Jamboree that nurtures dreams,’ and a ‘Jamboree that allows participants to enjoy and experience Korea.’”