South Korea: Political Scandal and Weather Difficulties at the World Scout Jamboree

The 2023 edition of the world gathering of Scouts in South Korea is plagued by political controversy and the vagaries of the weather. Almost 37,000 young people and volunteers from 150 countries faced the impacts of Typhoon Khanun after being evacuated due to torrential rainfalls and strong winds. These events as well as the scorching weather conditions that the participants had to encounter from the beginning of the rally. Hygiene concerns and organizational problems also marred the event.

Questions of embezzlement of public funds have likewise been raised, questioning the management and preparation of the rally. Officials have made travels abroad with unclear motives, which has added to the doubts. Living conditions at the site have been criticized for being unsanitary and lacking in amenities.

Confronted with these difficulties, numerous foreign delegations, including the British, Americans and Singaporeans, decided to leave the Jamboree prematurely. The World Organization of the Scout Movement has called for the event, originally planned to last until August 12, to be shortened.