Participants at the 24th World Scout Jamboree pose during the event at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia, July 22-August 2, 2019 in the United States. From August 1-12, the 25th World Scout Jamboree will take place in Buan, near the Saemangeum site in Jeollabuk-do Province. (Photo by Korean scout leader Chang Hyeong-gyu)

In August, Korea will hold the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Buan, a county in the southwestern part of the country. The international meet will bring together some 43,000 teenagers from around 170 countries, making it one of the largest gatherings since the three-year COVID-19 pandemic.

The world’s largest youth camp is scheduled to take place from August 1 through 12 on a newly built 8.8-square kilometer campsite in the Saemangeum reclaimed area on the coast of Jeollabuk-do Province. The main theme of the event is “Draw Your Dream.”

Organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the quadrennial event is aimed at offering a venue for youngsters from across the globe to learn about each other’s cultures.

“This year’s event will become a festival to build friendships with a variety of friends for young people around the world, who have been depressed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook said, as her ministry has overseen the preparations for the event. “The event will also become an opportunity for Korean culture to spread once again.”

 Poster for the 25th World Scout Jamboree (Courtesy of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family)

Korea won its bid for the Jamboree at the 41st World Scout Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, in August 2017.

This will be the second Jamboree to be held in Korea after the one held in Goseong, Gangwon-do Province, in 1991.

Since the country was chosen to host the Jamboree, the government has made thorough preparations by enacting a special law in December 2018 to support the event and launching an organizing committee co-headed by the gender equality minister in July 2020 and a pan-ministerial support committee headed by the Prime Minister in April 2021.

To make it convenient for overseas participants during their arrival and departure, the government has simplified visa issuance procedures and will operate exclusive immigration checkpoints as well as helpdesks at Incheon International Airport.

The government will also provide transportation services as well as traffic information and police personnel to make sure that participants can move to the campsite promptly and safely.

Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic is not completely over yet, the government will operate testing centers within the event site and maintain separate spaces to isolate those who test positive. 

In a bid to cope with other possible health issues, 17 medical facilities, including five offering emergency medical services and six offering mental counseling, will be operated at the event site. A sufficient number of doctors, nurses and pharmacists will be deployed there. 

The government said it will work closely with Wonkwang University Hospital, Gunsan Medical Center, Jeonbuk National University Hospital and Jeonju Hospital in case medical facilities within the campsite are not capable of treating patients there.

 A computer-generated aerial image of a site for the 25th World Scout Jamboree (Courtesy of Organizing Committee for 25th World Scout Jamboree-2023 Saemangeum)

The government has also drawn up various safety measures to prevent any accidents that could be caused by high temperatures or heavy rainfall, considering the Korean summer is usually in full swing in August and could see heavy rain.

In late May, areas near the campsite already got heavy rain, resulting in some parts of the site being flooded.

The government will install a temporary meteorological observatory to offer up-to-date weather information.

“We are prepared with countermeasures for the latest flooding situation, including sewer maintenance,” Minister Kim said. “We will also install shade shelters and emergency shelters to prevent participants from developing any health problems.”

Minister Kim noted that the various daily programs can be enjoyed by everyone, not just the teenage Scouts, and that they will offer a chance to get out into nature and participate in temple stay programs.

Visitors can also taste traditional foods from various countries and watch performances.

As part of crowd management measures, the government will deploy security guards and police in multiple places to minimize congestion during opening and closing ceremonies on August 2 and August 11, respectively, as well as the K-pop performances slated for August 6.