Ceremony at Seoul’s World Cup stadium wraps up event beset by heatwave, unsanitary conditions and threat of typhoon
Raphael Rashid in Seoul
The 25th World Scout Jamboree has concluded with a concert in Seoul after a tumultuous 11-day journey across South Korea that was marred by a heatwave, unsanitary conditions and an evacuation owing to a typhoon threat.
“The last few days have not been easy, to say the least,” said Ahmad Alhendawi, the secretary general of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement during the closing ceremony on Friday at Seoul’s World Cup stadium.
“I am painfully aware that you had other expectations, that your dream of this jamboree was a different one. I know this wasn’t easy on you. No other event has faced this many challenges and extreme weather conditions. But also, no other jamboree in history showed the determination, creativity and resilience of you scouts.”
The South Korean prime minister, Han Duck-soo, expressed regret for what had happened. “I am sorry that scout members suffered from unprecedented heatwaves and typhoons caused by climate change,” he said.
The closing ceremony, which included the handover of the scout flag to Poland as the next hosts, was followed by a glitzy concert, with some of the biggest K-pop acts, including NewJeans, Ive, NCT Dream, Itzy, and Mamamoo entertaining the 43,000-strong audience.
As scouts entered the stadium, they were given goodie bags containing light sticks, character merchandise and photocards of the K-pop group BTS, who were not scheduled to perform because several of its members are taking part in mandatory military service.
The jamboree was plagued with problems from the start. Heavy rain meant scouts had to pitch tents in swamp-like conditions, while a heatwave and a lack of natural shade at the campsite caused hundreds to be taken ill, and some reported substandard sanitary conditions.
The challenging conditions led a handful of contingents, including the UK, to pull out from the site within days.
After a typhoon later forced the evacuation of the entire campsite in favour of dormitories in Seoul and other inland cities, the jamboree turned into one that included tours and festivities as local governments and companies scrambled to piece together itineraries and activities including factory tours, museum visits, K-pop dance lessons and traditional rice-cake making sessions.
The South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, instructed the government hours before the closing ceremony to provide support to all participants until their departure from the country, including lodging, transportation and tours.
It remained unclear whether the estimated £1m pounds spent by the UK contingent to move early would be reimbursed. The Guardian has not yet received a response from the organisers.
Saturday is the official end date of the jamboree, but the closing ceremony on Friday was the last item on the event’s agenda, organisers said.