"Starting Weak, Improved with Overflowing Support" Foreign Media Highlights People and Organizations Who Preserved Jamboree

Forbes Evaluates Saemangeum Jamboree Event
"Causes of Failure to Be Reviewed Over Weeks and Months"

"The start was inadequate, but it continuously improved." This is the evaluation given by the American economic media Forbes on the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree. On the 11th (local time), in an article titled "People and Organizations Who Saved the World Scout Jamboree," they summarized, "Numerous organizations stepped up and improved the situation."

The media stated, "The Saemangeum site and organizing committee, experienced by 43,000 scouts, were completely different from the Scout motto 'Be Prepared,'" adding, "Especially the severe failures such as heatwaves and hygiene issues will be reviewed over the coming weeks and months."

The 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree concluded on the 11th with a closing ceremony and the 'K-pop Super Live' at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where Italian scouts are enjoying themselves. Photo by Joint Press Corps

They positively evaluated the support and sponsorship from the central government, religious groups, corporations, and the public who took the forefront. Through interviews with participants' parents and Scout group officials, they confirmed the improved situation.

The parent of a British scout who withdrew early said, "It seems they gained valuable lessons such as patience, determination, and leadership, and also learned a lot about Korea." Brad Baldick, the U.S. Scout representative, stated, "Korean government ministries were assigned to each delegation to respond to the scouts' needs and provide rich experiences." Chairman Paulson also expressed gratitude, saying, "Overall, the Korean people sent an unbelievably large amount of support."

On the 11th, the closing ceremony of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree is being held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The World Jamboree, which opened on the 1st in the Saemangeum area of Buan County, Jeollabuk-do, saw the participation of 43,281 youths from 158 countries worldwide. Expectations were high as it was the first World Jamboree held in 32 years since the 1991 Goseong World Jamboree. However, poor preparation, inadequate facilities, and a heatwave combined to cause about 400 heat-related illness cases on the first day alone. Over 100 people complained of heat-related illnesses even during the opening ceremony. As a result, about 6,000 people from three countries?Britain (about 4,400), the United States (1,500), and Singapore (about 60)?left the site. They participated in the closing ceremony and the 'K-pop Super Live' concert held on the 11th at the Sangam World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul, bringing the event to a successful conclusion.

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