Early End to Saemangeum Jamboree, Jeonbuk Residents Express "Regret"

37,000 People Urgently Evacuated Due to Typhoon Impact

Civilians Feel Deep Emptiness Looking at Vacant Spaces

"It is disappointing and frustrating to see the scouts leaving the campsite as the world-renowned Jamboree has effectively come to an end."

The Jeonbuk Saemangeum World Jamboree ended early on the 8th due to the impact of Typhoon Khanun, leaving local residents feeling disheartened.

According to the Jamboree Organizing Committee, about 36,000 scouts from 156 countries will stay at a total of 128 accommodations prepared by the government in eight cities and provinces including Seoul and Gyeonggi until the closing ceremony on the 12th.

As an emergency measure to prepare for the approaching Typhoon Khanun, the remaining schedule will focus on tourism and K-pop events.

At around 10:40 a.m. on the 8th, Portuguese scout members arrived for the first time at Jeonbuk National University dormitory.
[Photo by Kim Geonwan]

From early morning that day, tents used as accommodations by the scouts at the campsite began to be dismantled one by one, and busy footsteps carrying luggage headed toward the Saemangeum parking lot.

The parking lot was filled with numerous tour buses that had come from all over the country to transport the scouts, and the surrounding roads formed an unexpected long line of buses.

As the large crowd dispersed like an ebb tide, the area once filled with colorful tents was left bare, revealing the bare ground.

The trash piled up in many places caught the eye more than usual, and the intense heat along with the empty atmosphere arrived like an unwelcome guest, erasing the event’s passionate energy.

A local resident said, "Still, some participants remained and stayed in the Jeonbuk area," adding, "It is regrettable that the event could not conclude properly at Saemangeum due to the typhoon."

Another citizen expressed disappointment, saying, "They tried to restore pride with the closing ceremony and K-pop performance in Jeonju, the heart of Jeonbuk, but even that was canceled."

A tourist who took summer vacation to visit said bitterly, "The world event venue seen from the Jamboree observatory feels empty and desolate as the scout youths have left."

Meanwhile, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min visited the press center that afternoon and stated, "Starting tomorrow (the 9th), nine regional directors at the bureau level from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will be dispatched to eight cities and provinces to support the safety and convenience of Jamboree participants."

He added, "We are preparing cooperation measures with fire departments and police to prevent safety accidents and to ensure maximum attendance at the closing ceremony and K-pop concert to be held on the 11th at the Seoul Sangam Stadium."

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