Growing Criticism of Jamboree... Organizing Committee Suddenly Controls Press Area

Delta Zone Autonomous Reporting Changed to Accompaniment by Staff
"Changed Because It Was Judged Correct to Accompany Staff"
Controversy Intensifies Over Forced Progress and Food Supplies in Heatwave

The 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree Organizing Committee (Organizing Committee) suddenly began restricting access to the 'Delta Zone,' a press area initially permitted for media coverage. This move contradicts the committee's announcement on the opening day, drawing criticism.

Allowed 'Autonomous Coverage'... But "Accompanied by Officials" After Criticism?

On the 1st, when the opening ceremony of the 2023 World Scout Jamboree was held at Saemangeum, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk, Scout members are taking photos. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 3rd, the Organizing Committee reportedly notified the press that "from now on, to enter the Delta Zone, media must schedule coverage times and be accompanied by Scout operating staff (IST)."

At the opening briefing, the committee responded to reporters' questions about access to the Delta Zone by saying, "We will not block it."

The booklet distributed to the press by the committee also states that, according to Jamboree policy, only one-on-one interactions between adult journalists and youth participants are prohibited, and the Delta Zone is to be used autonomously on foot without accompaniment by IST personnel or others.

However, following media reports criticizing participant discomfort due to heatstroke cases amid the heatwave, inadequate facilities, and operational shortcomings, the committee appears to have abruptly changed its support policy for media coverage.

Jamboree Organizing Committee Notice [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Delta Zone is a space where Scout leaders and youth from around the world meet to exchange cultures and communicate. It also serves as the 'face' of this Jamboree.

For this reason, most of the media covering the Jamboree visited this location, about a 10-minute walk from the press center, to hear participants' opinions and point out issues.

However, the Organizing Committee maintains that the policy change was not due to media reports.

An Organizing Committee official stated, "Since youth participants are in the Delta Zone, we judged it appropriate for IST and the media to accompany them," adding, "Although there were no severe heatstroke cases, some media exaggerated the situation by only mentioning the numbers."

Criticism Mounts Over Heatstroke Cases, Poor Camping Conditions, and Inadequate Living Facilities

On the 1st, during the opening of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree, part of the Saemangeum event site was flooded due to the recent heavy rain.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the Jamboree is a global youth camping festival held every four years by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, with 43,225 participants from 159 countries attending this event.

However, on the first day of the 25th World Scout Jamboree, which opened on the 1st in Saemangeum, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk, 400 heatstroke cases occurred, and heatwave-related damages are continuing to emerge.

Tents where participants will stay are set up at the campsite in Haseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, two days before the opening ceremony of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree.
[Photo by Buan-gun·Yonhap News]

There are also criticisms that the Saemangeum campsite is not suitable for camping in the heatwave. The large site lacks trees, resulting in insufficient shade, and its proximity to the sea causes high humidity.

Some areas of the flat campsite remain muddy due to rainwater not draining properly after recent monsoon rains.

Additionally, reports have surfaced of mold found on food supplies provided by the committee, allegations of price gouging at stores, and poor overall living facilities including showers, restrooms, and electricity.

In response, both ruling and opposition parties have urged the government to take active measures to ensure the health and safety of Jamboree participants.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.