Ministry of Foreign Affairs Invites 23 Diplomatic Missions in Korea on the 4th
Additional Briefing Next Week at Resident Missions' Request
2nd Vice Minister Leads TF, Organizing Committee Communicates with Missions
The "25th Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree" is showing signs of escalating into an international issue due to poor management, and in response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing on the 4th inviting the diplomatic corps in Korea to explain the government's measures.
A total of 23 diplomatic missions in Korea attended the briefing. Another briefing for the diplomatic corps in Korea by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to be held again next week.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also formed the "2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree Task Force," led by Deputy Minister Oh Young-joo. The task force operates on a 24-hour basis, working closely with the Jamboree organizing committee to resolve difficulties between the Jamboree hosts and the diplomatic corps in Korea. Additionally, on the morning of the same day, the Ministry dispatched mid-level officials to the Jamboree site to support the organizing committee's external communications.
The "2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree" is the largest event held domestically since COVID-19.
It is a youth camping festival held every four years by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, where young people from around the world gather to camp, experience various programs, and interact. This Jamboree held in Korea attracted about 30,000 Scouts aged 14 to 18 from 158 countries, along with approximately 43,000 participants including leaders.
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.
However, amid heatwaves and tropical nights, more than 400 cases of heat-related illnesses emerged just one day after the opening, revealing a series of shortcomings in preparation and management. Among foreign parents, criticism has arisen that "the event the children anticipated has turned into a 'survival game.'"
The organizing committee announced that a total of 1,757 patients occurred from the opening until the 2nd, with over 600 of them suffering from heat-related illnesses. Furthermore, criticism has intensified as it was revealed that the organizing committee proceeded with the opening ceremony despite requests from fire authorities to suspend the event.
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