2023 Saemangeum World Jamboree Opening Ceremony Attendance
Emphasizing Responsibility and Volunteer Spirit to Scout Members
President Yoon encouraged scout members worldwide on the 2nd, saying, "When you, full of responsibility and a spirit of service, join forces in solidarity, you will be able to help countries and people in need not only in your local communities and nations but also in the international community, and respond to the crises and challenges facing humanity."
On the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon attended the opening ceremony of the 2023 Saemangeum 25th World Scout Jamboree held in Saemangeum, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, and said, "The independence, responsibility, spirit of service to neighbors, and dedication to the country cultivated through scouting activities will help you grow into excellent leaders."
President Yoon entered the opening ceremony wearing a scout uniform together with First Lady Kim Keon-hee. President Yoon, the first president who was a former scout member, was appointed honorary president of the Korea Scout Association last March.
In his welcoming speech, President Yoon said, "Seeing you vividly brings back memories of my scouting days. The excitement of outdoor activities, meeting scouts from other schools, and joint camping still remain special memories for me." He added, "Over the next ten days here at Saemangeum, you will enjoy various challenges and experiences and build friendships with scouts from around the world."
He continued, "There are about 170 diverse programs prepared at the vast jamboree camping site and nearby sea and valleys, and a K-pop concert where you can experience Korean culture is also waiting for you." He urged, "Enjoy your youth to the fullest and create wonderful memories with scouts from all over the world."
He cheered that they will grow into leaders through independence, responsibility, and a spirit of service. President Yoon said, "Scouting, which started in 1907 in the United Kingdom with 20 members, has cultivated independence, responsibility, a spirit of service to neighbors, and dedication to the homeland in hundreds of millions of young people worldwide over more than 100 years. My own scouting experience in childhood was a great strength in living my life." He emphasized, "The independence, responsibility, spirit of service to neighbors, and dedication to the country cultivated through scouting activities will help you grow into excellent leaders."
President Yoon also said, "Look around you. You are not alone. Many fellow scouts are with you. The scouts gathered from about 150 countries under the scout flag are your friends and comrades." He expressed support and encouragement, saying, "I hope you become scouts who achieve the future through your own efforts and who do not ignore the difficulties of friends and comrades but reach out first."
President Yoon also expressed deep gratitude, saying, "I sincerely thank the volunteers and medical staff who are sweating on site despite the hot weather."
The 2023 World Jamboree is being held from the 1st to the 12th of this month at the Saemangeum site in Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, with about 43,000 scout members from 158 countries participating worldwide. This is the second event held in Korea following the 17th World Jamboree held in 1991 in Goseong, Gangwon-do.
At the opening ceremony that day, in addition to President Yoon and the First Lady, attendees included Bob Pofeng Dadei, Governor of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and his spouse; Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family; Park Bo-gyun, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Han Chang-seop, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety; Kang Tae-seon, President of the Korea Scout Association; Kim Yoon-duk, Member of the National Assembly and Co-chairman of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree Organizing Committee; Andy Chapman, Chairman of the World Scout Committee; and Edward Michael Grylls (Bear Grylls), known as the "Survivor King."
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