Government Ignores Costs and Schedule... Companies and Universities Left Embarrassed After Taking on Jamboree

Detailed plans handed over to companies and local governments
No cost execution or settlement plans communicated
No plan for 40,000 people movement on the 'Concert' day

Participants of the '2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree' have set up temporary accommodations at corporate training centers and universities in the Seoul metropolitan area, but it has been found that they are improvising without central government guidelines. Furthermore, due to the government's lack of smooth follow-up measures, confusion is expected to increase regarding future cost settlement methods and the transportation issues to the K-pop concert venue scheduled for the 11th.

According to officials from companies and universities on the 10th, there were no specific instructions from the Jamboree Organizing Committee regarding the detailed schedule from the participant movement period of the 8th to the 12th. Although the organizing committee previously stated that they would link with 'existing local government programs,' in reality, they have effectively passed the responsibility for the schedule onto the companies and universities. After the participants moved in, each company and university reportedly began preparing their own programs.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

An official from a company that provided a training center for employees stated that after about 100 participants moved in, no programs were provided by the government, and they are currently offering self-organized programs. The company official explained, "We have not heard that the Jamboree Organizing Committee would prepare separate programs," adding, "We designed programs so that the scouts can have various experiences during the remaining period."

The problem is that no notice has been given regarding the cost settlement method arising from providing lodging, meals, and programs. On the 8th, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Lee Sang-min, said in a briefing, "The cost issue will be covered by the government negotiating with local governments and settling afterward." However, the company official said, "We are not receiving support from outside; we are doing it on our own," and regarding the government's announced 'post-claim method,' they said, "We have not received any separate instructions." Universities providing dormitories are also using their own school funds to cover costs for lodging, programs, and souvenirs.

Even if settlements are made after the event, there is a possibility that not all actual expenses will be reimbursed. This is because various expenses are being executed across different regions without the central government issuing rough guidelines on how much and how the costs should be spent.

There is also concern over the transportation method to the 'K-pop concert' scheduled from 7 PM to 9 PM on the 11th. So far, no instructions have been issued on how to move approximately 40,000 participants scattered nationwide to the World Cup Stadium located in Sangam, Seoul. Considering that about 1,000 buses were mobilized during the accommodation move, a large-scale transportation is expected. Especially, there are safety concerns if rain and strong winds occur due to the typhoon. The previous afternoon, a bus carrying the Swiss delegation in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, collided with a city bus, resulting in nine people sustaining minor injuries.

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