Jamboree 'At Risk of Cancellation'... Expected to Be Decided at 9 AM Delegation Meeting

Early Withdrawal of UK Followed by US
World Scout Federation Also Recommends Suspension

The 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree is effectively facing the risk of cancellation. The U.S. Scout delegation, following the UK, has withdrawn early from the camp, and the World Organization of the Scout Movement has also conveyed a recommendation to suspend the event. Accordingly, a decision to halt the event may be made at the meeting of national delegations scheduled for 9 a.m. on the 5th.

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. Photo by Yonhap News

Lou Paulsen, Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America Operations Committee, told Yonhap News on the 5th, "We are leaving because of the weather," adding, "We are scheduled to return to Camp Humphreys at the Pyeongtaek U.S. military base."

When asked, "Is it correct that you will stay at Camp Humphreys until the 11th?" he replied, "Yes. We decided to leave the Jamboree as soon as possible and stay there until we return home."

Regarding whether other countries are planning to leave, he said, "I haven't checked directly, so I don't know, but there will be a meeting of all delegations at 9 a.m. today, and the situation will likely be assessed then," withholding further comment. The U.S. had planned to send about 1,200 people, including adult volunteers.

The day before, the UK, which sent the largest number of over 4,500 youth participants, notified its withdrawal from the venue, and now the U.S. has effectively decided to withdraw as well. Along with this, it has been reported that the Belgian Embassy in Incheon inquired about the possibility of accommodating Scout members in a large facility there.

Whether the Jamboree will continue ultimately depends on the meeting of national delegations at 9 a.m., where one of three options?'proceeding as planned,' 'suspension,' or 'scaled-down operation followed by early closure'?is expected to be decided.

The World Organization of the Scout Movement issued a statement after the UK's withdrawal decision, saying, "We have requested the Korea Scout Association to consider alternatives to end the event earlier than planned and support participants until they return to their home countries."

It added, "The organizers have assured that they will do their best to continue the event by deploying significant additional resources to address problems caused by the heatwave."

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