Swiss Jamboree Participants Shed 'Tears of Farewell' to Mapo-gu's Sincerity

Jamboree Participants Shed Tears Saying Goodbye to Beloved Staff... Leaving Thank You Letters and Gifts Draws Attention

Professional and Systematic Operation of ‘Mapo-gu Jamboree Support Task Force’... Residents Actively Step Up to Support

Active Support Including Accommodation, Meals, and Various Cultural and Experiential Programs for Jamboree Scouts

Swiss Jamboree members' tears of a bittersweet farewell

The saying ‘Jiseonggamcheon (至誠感天)’, meaning that sincere effort can smoothly resolve even difficult matters and yield good results, seems to aptly describe the ‘active empathetic administration’ of Mapo-gu and its residents toward the Jamboree participants.

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) swiftly held an emergency meeting chaired by the mayor on the 8th, immediately after the decision for early withdrawal and departure of the ‘2023 World Scout Jamboree’ participants was made, focusing all efforts on support measures.

At the emergency meeting, Mayor Park specially urged the staff, saying, “Let us all do our best together to ensure that the Jamboree participants, exhausted from Saemangeum, can safely and comfortably complete the remaining schedule and leave with good memories of our country.”

Accordingly, the district promptly formed a dedicated support team, providing everything from transportation, accommodation, meals, and daily necessities to cultural and sports programs and medical support, embracing and replenishing the weary hearts of the Jamboree participants affected by the heatwave and sudden schedule changes, demonstrating empathetic administration that drew attention.

In particular, the district paid close attention to detail by hanging 11 banners in the Hongdae Red Road area, expected to be frequently visited by Jamboree participants, welcoming them and displaying contact information for the Mapo Tourism Information Center where they could receive help anytime during their stay in Mapo.

Upon receiving news that the British team, which withdrew early from the Jamboree, wished to perform busking in the world-famous tourist spot Hongdae, the district arranged a ‘Special Busking for Jamboree Participants’ performance on the evening of the 9th at Red Road.

At this event, local merchants and residents warmly came together, offering free bottled water and beverages to the participants who had faced many hardships, kindly guiding them, and creating a friendly atmosphere filled with cheers and enjoyment.

From the 8th to the 13th, 484 Swiss Jamboree participants left Saemangeum and moved to Mapo-gu to continue their remaining schedule. The district provided nutritious meals and convenience facilities, assigned dedicated support staff and transportation for each accommodation, and offered diverse cultural and sports experiential programs such as fusion gugak (traditional Korean music), b-boying, beatboxing, bowling, and K-nori sports festivals using venues like Mapo Art Center and Mapo-gu Office.

At the Mapo-gu Community Sports Center, a dedicated life sports instructor was assigned to ensure smooth support for sports programs, enhancing participants’ enjoyment and satisfaction. The Mapo-gu Sports Council also packed and delivered 500 snacks including cookies and ramen for the hungry participants, receiving enthusiastic cheers that touched those around them.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, participated in a busking event for Jamboree participants held on the Red Road in Hongdae on the 9th and had an enjoyable time.

Furthermore, on the 11th, the district actively utilized human and material resources to ensure that the Jamboree closing ceremony and K-pop concert held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, would conclude as a safe and enjoyable global festival, focusing on safety management.

First, for overall safety management, the Public Safety Division established measures to prevent accidents caused by crowd congestion and arranged traffic congestion relief and medical support.

To manage traffic congestion and crowds, safety text messages were sent to Mapo-gu residents and nearby inhabitants advising vehicle detours, and the district’s promotional channels were activated to minimize confusion. Approximately 530 personnel, including 220 district employees and 310 members of professional organizations, were deployed at points expected to be congested with about 43,000 Jamboree participants to thoroughly prepare for safety accidents caused by crowding.

Additionally, at the request of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the district immediately provided 11 wheelchairs for the elderly and disabled, and district employees personally rolled up their sleeves to secure additional parking by pumping out water and mowing grass at the DMC Landmark site flooded by heavy rain to support large bus parking.

The Mapo-gu Public Health Center also set up a medical support team on the first floor of Seoul World Cup Stadium for the closing ceremony and K-pop concert participants, providing meticulous medical services that were well received by attendees.

Upon hearing that the Venezuelan and Surinam Jamboree teams, scheduled to depart on the 14th, could no longer stay at their existing accommodations, the district immediately decided to provide Mapo Creator Town Seogyo as lodging and dispatched vehicles and support personnel, demonstrating a commitment to finishing the Jamboree journey well.

Notably, the participation of Mapo-gu residents in safety measures stood out. About 200 members of the Autonomous Crime Prevention Corps and Tourism Security Guards participated in the busking performance held on the 9th at Red Road, and 310 people from five professional organizations including the Autonomous Crime Prevention Corps joined the closing ceremony on the 11th, actively supporting the Jamboree participants both materially and spiritually with one heart and one mind.

Moreover, Hongik University and Sogang University, in consultation with the district office, agreed to extend the free accommodation period by one day beyond the original stay for the Jamboree participants’ return schedule, demonstrating leadership in social responsibility.

On the 13th, the Swiss group members who left the Hongik University dormitory left thank-you letters for the Mapo-gu staff.

The farewell scene at Hongik University dormitory on the 13th, where the Swiss Jamboree participants departed, became a sea of tears, revealing a touching story. The Swiss Jamboree members expressed their gratitude by delivering thank you letters and gifts, reflecting on the considerate support from Mapo-gu staff who helped them from early morning until late at night. Upon receiving these, the district staff were moved to tears, and they embraced each other, shedding tears of regret.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “More important than assigned duties and roles is supporting the world youth visiting our country to leave with good memories without any safety accidents,” adding, “I sincerely thank the Mapo residents who actively participated and wholeheartedly cheered for the Jamboree participants’ support.”

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