Jamboree Faces 'Suspension Crisis' Due to Heatwave... Participating Countries UK, USA, Belgium Withdraw One After Another

The scout delegations from the United States and the United Kingdom participating in the '2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree' have decided to withdraw early from the camp due to extreme heat. The world scout delegations plan to hold a meeting on the morning of the 5th to decide whether to continue or suspend the event.

Lou Paulson, Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America Operations Committee, informed parents of jamboree participants and international volunteer team members via email on the 5th, as reported by Yonhap News, that they decided to leave the jamboree site earlier than planned due to severe weather. Chairman Paulson stated that they will first leave the jamboree and move to Camp Humphreys, a U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, where they plan to stay until the 11th before returning home.

The day before, the United Kingdom, which dispatched the largest number of youths among the 158 participating countries, notified of their withdrawal from the event, and with the United States also declaring their departure, it appears that more countries may follow suit. The UK delegation consists of about 4,500 participants, and the U.S. delegation, including adult volunteers, totals 1,200, meaning approximately 15% of the total participants have decided to leave.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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The Belgian embassy reportedly inquired whether large facilities in Incheon could accommodate scout members. It seems the Belgian delegation is also effectively withdrawing.

During the regular meeting of the national delegations held from the morning, a decision on withdrawal is expected. The Jamboree organizing committee is likely to compile opinions from the meeting and make a final decision in the afternoon. Accordingly, the daily regular briefing by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family was changed from being held by Vice Minister Lee Gi-soon at 10:30 a.m. to being conducted by Minister Kim Hyun-sook at 3 p.m.

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