South Korea aims to revive World Scout Jamboree with all-star K-pop concert

Organisers in South Korea have taken measures to ensure a positive experience for young scouts by organising an all-star K-pop concert scheduled for Friday, aiming to re-energise participants and make up for their earlier disappointment from a troubled jamboree event.

Issues with inadequate sanitation, heat-related injuries, and other concerns were among the factors that led contingents from the US and UK to leave the World Scout Jamboree.

The issue was made worse by the decision to evacuate the campsite because of an impending typhoon.

These criticisms evidently influenced South Korean officials, who are now dedicated to assuring an improved experience for the scouts with an upcoming K-pop concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Highlighting their commitment, Culture Ministry spokesperson Kang Jeong-won stated: “Our emphasis lies in the realm of sanitation to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable time for the scouts within the stadium. 

“To alleviate congestion, we have arranged for the installation of an additional 30 mobile restrooms at the venue, along with deploying over 200 sanitation personnel for restroom maintenance.”

According to Choi Hoon, a senior official from the Interior Ministry, around 90,000 water bottles would be supplied to meet the scouts’ hydration demands while police and firefighters will be stationed at the stadium throughout the event to ensure public safety.

The international jamboree, initially marred by unheeded warnings and inadequate preparations, led to scout groups being spread across various locations in the country.

Some of the scouts have even participated in K-pop dance classes. The forthcoming K-pop concert, featuring nearly 20 popular acts including NewJeans and ITZY, is anticipated to rejuvenate the scouts’ spirits, according to the event organisers.