'Is It True He Went on Vacation?'... Yoon Issues 6 Directives on Major Matters During Six-Day Absence

Yoon Orders 6 Public Appearances During 6-Day Vacation
Most Frequent with 4 Jamboree Cases Including Heatwave and Environmental Measures
Korean Prime Minister Inspects Jamboree Site on Behalf of Yoon

President Yoon Suk-yeol is personally overseeing major national concerns such as the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree, defective construction of Mu-ryang-pan apartments, and a violent stabbing incident, even while on his summer vacation. Although six days have passed since he began his vacation, he is effectively carrying out official duties as usual.

According to the presidential office on the 7th, since starting his summer vacation, President Yoon has issued a total of six directives: four related to the World Scout Jamboree, one on measures to address defective construction of Mu-ryang-pan apartments, and one concerning the Seohyeon Station incident.

On the first day of his vacation, the 2nd, President Yoon held a phone meeting with Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office, and relevant senior secretaries regarding the defective construction of Mu-ryang-pan apartments and instructed them to devise countermeasures. Accordingly, the People Power Party, the presidential office, and the government held an emergency high-level party-government meeting and decided to take all government-level measures. They also agreed to pursue a parliamentary investigation if necessary through a task force (TF) on the defective construction of Mu-ryang-pan apartments and public safety.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Thirteen days after a stabbing incident occurred near Sillim Station in Seoul on the 21st of last month, another violent stabbing took place at Seohyeon Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. On the following day, the 4th, President Yoon instructed Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, stating, "The random stabbing incident at Seohyeon Station is a terror attack against innocent citizens," and added, "Since threatening messages have also been posted on social networking services (SNS), the government must respond by deploying security personnel for preventive measures and carrying effective and strong suppression equipment." Following President Yoon's directive, the police deployed officers to 89 areas where murder and stabbing threats were anticipated and have apprehended suspects in 14 cases.

In addition to attending the Saemangeum secondary battery investment agreement ceremony, a dinner with businesspeople in Jeonbuk, and the Jamboree opening ceremony on the 2nd, President Yoon spent a night at the naval base in Jinhae, Gyeongnam, to encourage troops. On the 4th, he visited the Gohyeon General Market in Geoje, Gyeongnam, purchased seafood, and supported merchants to stimulate consumption.

Among major issues, the area where President Yoon issued the most directives was the World Scout Jamboree, urging measures on heatwaves, health, environment, and alternative cultural experiences four times over six days. On the first day of his vacation, the 2nd, after attending the Jamboree opening ceremony held in Saemangeum, Buan County, Jeonbuk, he instructed, "Thoroughly inspect and take measures regarding facilities and safety." Despite his directives, many patients complained of heat-related illnesses and skin diseases due to insufficient convenience facilities, and mold was found on eggs distributed at the event.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Scout members are escaping the heat in the vine tunnel within the Delta Zone of the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, President Yoon has been issuing daily directives from the 4th until the day before, overcoming a critical turning point. On the 4th, he instructed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo by phone, "Provide unlimited supply of refrigerated and frozen trucks capable of delivering large buses and cold bottled water, immediately improve the quality and quantity of meals supplied to students, and have all government departments work together to promptly resolve on-site issues." Following his directive, the government held an emergency cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han and decided to allocate 6.9 billion won from contingency funds for material support.

However, as early departures of about 6,000 scouts from the UK, the US, and Singapore continued, on the 5th, President Yoon instructed Prime Minister Han and Minister Lee Sang-min by phone, "Inspect the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree camping site and urgently add tourism programs that showcase Korea's industry, culture, history, and nature."

On the previous day, President Yoon also urged Prime Minister Han and Minister Lee to "ensure thorough hygiene management during the heatwave and pay special attention to preventing food poisoning." He also asked Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Foreign Minister Park Jin by phone to carefully support the British and American scouts who had withdrawn to safely and meaningfully experience cultural activities outside the camp. With Typhoon Khanun approaching the Korean Peninsula, the government is preemptively deploying engineering and medical personnel, so the presidential office explained that it is unlikely President Yoon will issue a separate message that day.

Instead, during President Yoon's vacation, Prime Minister Han has visited the Saemangeum Jamboree site for five consecutive days since the 4th, asking participants about their inconveniences, listening to requests, and inspecting the facilities. On the previous day, having declared the intention to continue the event until the end, Prime Minister Han went to the Jamboree campsite in Buan County, Jeonbuk, for an on-site inspection.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree site in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk, on the 6th, having a meal and conversation with international staff members at the international staff dining hall.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although concerns about a 'domino withdrawal' following the UK, US, and Singapore grew, the remaining 152 countries ultimately decided to stay, averting the risk of event suspension. Moreover, the central government, local governments, and companies have stepped in as reinforcements, strengthening on-site response and inspections.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport deployed an additional 104 cooling buses on top of the existing 130, and the Ministry of National Defense installed shade tents covering 1,124 pyeong and 64 canopies. Sixty additional personnel, including doctors, nurses, and administrative support staff, were also deployed. Notably, large private hospitals such as Severance Hospital (18 personnel) and Seoul National University Hospital (12 personnel) plan to provide medical staff support at the Jamboree site.

However, criticism has not subsided as operational failures and lack of preparation have become evident despite six years of preparation. Following an increase in heat-related patients, COVID-19 has also begun to spread. According to Jeonbuk Province, as of the 6th, 39 COVID-19 cases were confirmed at the Jamboree campsite. From the Jamboree opening on July 29 until the previous day, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases at the campsite reached 131.

Regarding speculation that President Yoon's vacation might be interrupted, the presidential office denied the claims. President Yoon is scheduled to return to work after completing his vacation on the 8th. A presidential office official said, "It is difficult to understand why such rumors are circulating," and added, "President Yoon will follow his vacation schedule as planned." Addressing criticism that his focus on responding to issues like the Jamboree has delayed the intended effects of boosting domestic demand and revitalizing livelihoods, he responded, "Sometimes schedules do not go exactly as planned, whether during regular times or vacations. I visited the market in Geoje and had extensive conversations with merchants; I believe the message was conveyed, and much of President Yoon's thoughts were communicated."

On the night of the 6th, British Scout members who left early from the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree boarded the Gwanghwamun Seoul City Tour Bus and cheered before departure.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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