World Scout Jamboree Event in South Korea Faces Criticism; Hundred Participants Treated For Heat-Related Issues

(Photo : Pexels/Ethan Brooke)

Heat fatigue has struck hundreds of participants in the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea.

The event, known as the world's largest youth camp, is attended by at least 43,000 young Scouts from 158 countries.

The outdoor event will take place on 8.8 square kilometers of reclaimed tidelands in the southern county of Buan, province of North Jeolla, which is under a heatwave alert with everyday temperatures reaching above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), Aljazeera reported.

A total of 108 people were rushed to the hospital after suffering from heat-related diseases and exhaustion during the jamboree's opening ceremony on Wednesday night.

Korea's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, as well as chief scout and celebrity survivalist Bear Grylls, attended the occasion.

Most of the patients experienced mild symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea, but were able to return to their campsites

The heatwave is expected to linger through next week, according to South Korea's weather service. The scout event will conclude on August 12.

Government intervention

According to local officials, at least 600 people have been treated for heat-related illnesses thus far.

"I'm exhausted. Shade is hard to find, and when you're in shade, it's still superhot; there is barely any wind here," one volunteer who spoke on the condition of anonymity told The Guardian.

The Korea Times reported that President Yoon Suk Yeol also directed the government to supply unlimited air-conditioned buses and refrigerator trucks to protect the participants.

"All government departments should make all-out efforts to immediately solve problems at the site," Yoon was quoted by presidential spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye.

At least 30 military physicians and 60 nurses are deployed to the camp to handle the medical crisis.

International concern

The camp organizers also face growing criticism for allegedly not being prepared for the event.

Kristin Sayers, a parent from Virginia, said her kid had to sleep on the ground at the camp at first because the tents were not ready.

"The Scout motto is 'Be Prepared'. How could the organizers be so unprepared? I'm disappointed my son's dream is looking more like a nightmare," she told Reuters.

A spokeswoman for the UK Foreign Office said that the situation was being closely monitored. The United Kingdom has the biggest contingent, with over 4,500 Scouts.

Another foreign consul from the participating countries has also expressed concern about the conditions of the participants through diplomatic channels.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was to preside over an extraordinary Cabinet meeting to approve the spending of reserve government funds to provide necessary assistance for the jamboree event.

"The government will review and approve a proposal to spend reserve funds as the jamboree situation is serious," an official said. "The amount has not been set yet."

The ruling People Power Party and the government also convened an emergency conference to discuss some safety measures, including the provision of various amenities to improve the site's condition.

The two parties agreed to immediately expand electrical power supply capacity and to provide self-cooling outdoor tents and air-conditioned buses.