The South Korean government has denied responsibility for the disastrous World Scout Jamboree last year, despite being blamed by investigators. Tens of thousands were evacuated from the campsite due to issues with food and medical facilities. Independent findings were critical of the Korean Scout Association and the government, claiming that the government took a lead role in organizing the event while sidelining the scout group. However, the government refuted these claims, stating that they only played a supportive role to the Korean Scout Association.
The UK contingent withdrew over 4,500 child scouts due to problems such as extreme heat and inadequate food supplies. This led many other countries to follow suit. Investigators accused the South Korean government of misleading international and national scout organizations about the state of preparations for the event. The report outlined significant challenges and deficiencies in safety, security, medical support, food, sanitation, and hygiene. It also criticized the government for becoming a de facto organizer, causing structural and coordination complications.
The World Scout Jamboree is described as one of the world’s largest youth camps held every four years to bring together young scouts from around the world. Last August’s Jamboree was plagued with problems from its outset. Children fainted in extreme heat due to inadequate food supplies. The independent panel’s report highlighted issues with medical facilities such as clinics lacking electricity and a shortage of basic supplies like saline solution.
The UK contingent was not alone in withdrawing scouts over concerns about safety issues at last year’s World Scout Jamboree held in South Korea last August.
The investigation pointed out that there were significant challenges and deficiencies in safety, security, medical support, food supply, sanitation facilities and hygiene practices during this event.
Furthermore, it criticized officials for taking on too much control over organizing this global event leading to structural complications that hindered coordination efforts between different stakeholders involved.
Despite these accusations by investigators and other stakeholders involved in planning this event; South Korea has denied any responsibility for what happened during last year’s jamboree stating only playing a supportive role to Korean Scout Association rather than being its primary organizer as claimed by some reports.