Presidential Office "Held Temporary Cabinet Meeting and Approved 6 Billion KRW Contingency Fund for Jamboree Response"

Temporary Cabinet Meeting Held Presided Over by Prime Minister Han Deok-su

On the 4th, the government convened an extraordinary Cabinet meeting to provide 6 billion KRW in contingency funds to respond to the surge of heat-related illnesses at the '2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree'.

The Presidential Office spokesperson announced through a press release that the extraordinary Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo under President Yoon Suk-yeol's directive, was held at 11:30 a.m.

President Yoon, regarding the situation where heat-related patients are rapidly increasing at the Jamboree held in Saemangeum, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, instructed Prime Minister Han and Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min to immediately improve the quality and quantity of meals provided to students, supply unlimited cooling large buses and refrigerated trucks, and have all government ministries work together to promptly resolve the on-site issues.

The previous afternoon, South Korea activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) emergency response level 2 for the first time in history to cope with the heatwave. With heatwave warnings issued nationwide, it is expected that over the next few days, more than 108 areas will experience a daily maximum perceived temperature of 35 degrees Celsius or higher.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Scout members are cooling off from the heat in the Delta area of the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Due to the nationwide heatwave causing a surge in heat-related illnesses and concerns being expressed internationally about the World Scout Jamboree, it is understood that President Yoon, who is on vacation, personally took charge of the response.

At the opening ceremony alone, 108 heat-related patients were reported, and the cumulative number of heat-related patients is approaching 1,000. Numerous countries have sent protest letters to the Korean government and are communicating with foreign participants to listen to their grievances. The United Kingdom, which sent 4,500 participants, even dispatched embassy staff to Saemangeum urgently.

In response, Prime Minister Han ordered the deployment of military personnel including engineers, medical officers, and nursing officers the day before, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety urgently allocated 3 billion KRW in special grants to Jeollabuk-do for support. The 3 billion KRW can be immediately used for additional hospital cooling facility installations for heat illness prevention measures at the Jamboree, provision of heatwave prevention supplies and emergency supplies for heat-related patients, and increasing the number of cooling shuttle buses.

Prime Minister Han also instructed Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook, co-chair of the World Scout Jamboree organizing committee, to remain on-site until the end of the Jamboree and take necessary measures. Especially after reports emerged that journalists covering the World Jamboree were being blocked from entering the site, he urged transparent disclosure of the on-site situation and measures taken.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, a heat illness patient is receiving treatment at the Jamboree Hospital within the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree campsite in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The ruling party and government held an emergency safety management countermeasure meeting for the Jamboree at the National Assembly, attended by Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Park Gu-yeon, First Deputy Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. After the meeting, Yoon Jae-ok explained, "To prepare for record-breaking heatwaves during the Jamboree and support safe Scout activities for the largest number of participants ever, we decided to immediately improve meal facilities for heat-related patients and necessary hygiene and safety matters beyond existing measures."

The additional measures agreed upon by the ruling party and government include ▲expansion of electricity supply capacity ▲new distribution of cooling tent buses ▲immediate deployment of additional medical personnel and supplies ▲establishment and implementation of safety measures for indoor and outdoor activities and mass gatherings such as K-pop concerts ▲provision of quality meals, clean restrooms, and shower facilities.

They also plan to provide explanations to alleviate concerns related to Jamboree operations from overseas participants' parents and others. Floor leader Yoon stated, "Through 24-hour emergency duty, we will thoroughly inspect and take action regarding participants' safety situations," adding, "We will also explain government measures in detail to foreign embassies and media to alleviate concerns held by foreign governments and parents of foreign participants."

[Image source=Yonhap News]