'Survival Game Jamboree'
The '2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree,' criticized for poor management and complacent response to situations, has become a subject of ridicule among some overseas netizens. Online, memes satirizing the event have also appeared.
On the 5th, numerous memes about the Saemangeum Jamboree campsite flooded by the monsoon rains were posted on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
There are memes comparing camping pallets floating in the water to water bungalows, and images of the protagonist from the movie 'Cast Away' stranded at the campsite. The volleyball called 'Wilson' from the movie was also floating beside the protagonist.
There is also an image of a skeleton exhausted from the heat sitting on a chair, seemingly representing the scouts drying out at the campsite due to the heatwave.
Memes depicting mosquitoes rampant in puddles, dirty restrooms, and overpriced water were posted in various places.
The netizen running this account posted a photo comparing a terrace with a beautiful sea at a foreign resort to the pallets floating in the flooded Saemangeum campsite, receiving hundreds of 'likes.'
A netizen presumed to be a foreign parent who sent their children to the jamboree also posted on social media, pointing out the poor conditions.
Comments protesting the situation followed one after another, such as 'What on earth is happening there?', 'I want to take my daughter out quickly,' and 'My child is desperately saying they want to come home.'
In addition, the number of COVID-19 cases within the jamboree site continues to rise. According to Jeonbuk Province on the 3rd, as of 12 noon that day, there were 19 confirmed COVID-19 cases (10 males, 5 females) within the Saemangeum Jamboree site. This is an increase of 10 compared to the same time the previous day.
Among the confirmed cases, 15 were foreigners and 4 were Koreans. By age group, there were 15 teenagers, 3 people in their 20s, and 1 person in their 30s. Korean confirmed cases were sent home, while foreigners were transferred to temporary living facilities (Gimje National Youth Agricultural Life Center).
The Saemangeum World Jamboree was planned with the purpose of widely promoting Korea's excellent culture and natural environment to the world.
Before the event, it was expected to generate an economic effect of over 600 billion won, but due to insufficient preparation, there are concerns about damage to the regional image.
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