[Politics That Day] Last Fall, the Prognosticator's "Jamboree Adversity..."

October 25 Last Year at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family National Audit
Rep. Lee Won-taek: "Heatwave Measures Must Be Thoroughly Checked"
Minister of Gender Equality and Family: "I Will Take Full Responsibility and Ensure..."

Editor's Note"Politics on That Day" is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the "recollection of memories" related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

The aftermath of the controversy surrounding the "2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree" does not remain a domestic issue. Countries that sent Scout members to Korea are viewing the jamboree incident, which ended in disruption, with unfavorable eyes.

This incident has wounded the pride of Koreans who believed they had joined the ranks of advanced nations. The Scout members dispersed from Saemangeum to local governments across the country. The original purpose of the jamboree has already been damaged, and efforts from various sectors to bring the event to a successful close have continued.

As regrets over the jamboree grow, curiosity about the background of this incident is intensifying.

Participants of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree are collecting water at the water tap in the Jamboree campsite in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk on the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

An interesting point is that someone had already predicted the "jamboree incident" last fall. The person who emphasized the need for thorough preparation for such an important event attracting global attention is Lee Won-taek, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

He warned like a precise prophet that the jamboree could face adversity.

This was reflected in the Q&A session during the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee's audit on October 25 last year. Lee pointed out Korea's climate characteristics in August and urged measures against heatwaves.

"Measures against heatwaves or heavy rain, dust control, then pest control and infection prevention. Also, since this is a global event, many tourists will come. Measures for tourist convenience facilities and inspection of on-site and off-site programs must be conducted. They really need to be checked."

Lee repeatedly urged this because there were problems with the progress rate indicating the preparation status one year before the event.

He warned, "The infrastructure is currently at 37% progress as of August, isn't it? Winter is coming soon. Then spring will return in March next year." He urged thorough preparation as there was not much time left.

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]

Then, Lee delivered a meaningful message.

"If thorough preparations are not made for these matters, I hope the Minister understands that this event, watched by youth worldwide and the world, could face serious adversity."

A warning that the jamboree could indeed face serious adversity. What kind of response did Minister Kim Hyun-sook of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family give to this lawmaker's remark during last fall's audit?

Minister Kim left a lingering remark, saying, "Yes, with the Governor of Jeollabuk-do..." It was a response indicating that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family would consult with Jeollabuk-do, but it was a brief reply contrasting with the lawmaker's desperate appeal.

Lee said that even if the work was transferred from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to another ministry, a responsible entity was needed to prepare. He emphasized the importance of a control tower to oversee the jamboree.

At that time, Minister Kim pledged, "I will take full responsibility to ensure a smooth transfer," and "We have also established measures against typhoons and heatwaves, and I will report to the committee members of the National Assembly Women and Family Committee."

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook is announcing the departure plan for participants of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree at the Jamboree Press Center in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk on the 8th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Since the time allocated for the lawmaker's audit questions was limited, the conversation did not continue further. So, was this all the Q&A related to the jamboree?

Earlier, Lee also raised jamboree-related questions during another session.

He asked, "Minister, the World Jamboree is next year, 10 months away, right? In August. It is now 10 months ahead. Can this jamboree be properly held under the condition that the responsible ministry has disappeared?"

Minister Kim replied briefly, "Of course."

Lee's warning from last fall, which followed, is worth reconsidering from the perspective of August 2023.

"The jamboree's preparation status needs to be checked in more detail. I (Representative Lee Won-taek) am worried because I saw it on site, but can this event be properly held under conditions where there is confusion between the minister and the person in charge of the ministry?"