SEOUL, South Korea. The ongoing World Scout Jamboree in South Korea is facing challenges as at least 108 attendees have been treated for heat-related illnesses amid one of the country’s hottest summers in years.
As of Thursday morning, most of those affected have recovered, but two individuals are still receiving treatment at an on-site hospital, according to Choi Chang-haeng, the secretary-general of the Jamboree’s organizing committee.
Despite the heat-related incidents, the committee is determined to proceed with the event. In preparation for any further emergencies, they will be increasing the number of medical staff on-site. However, the committee has not released specific details about the ages and identities of those affected.
The Jamboree’s opening ceremony took place on Wednesday night, gathering more than 40,000 scouts, mostly teenagers, at a campsite located in the southwestern town of Buan, which was built on reclaimed land from the sea. On that day, the temperature soared to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).
In response to the situation, South Korea’s Minister of the Interior and Safety, Lee Sang-min, held an emergency meeting where he instructed officials to explore all possible measures to protect the participants. Some of the proposed measures include adjusting outdoor activities, providing more emergency vehicles and medical posts, and increasing shade structures and air-conditioned areas. The ultimate goal is to prevent any serious illnesses or fatalities during the event.
Concerns were raised about holding the Jamboree in a vast, treeless area that lacks natural refuge from the heat. However, Choi Chang-haeng argued that similar situations could have occurred even if the event took place elsewhere. He attributed the large number of patients to a K-pop performance during the opening ceremony, which led many teens to exhaust themselves after energetically participating.
South Korea is currently experiencing an intense heatwave, with the hot weather warning raised to the highest “serious” level for the first time in four years. Temperatures across the country have been ranging between 33 to 38 degrees Celsius (91 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Tragically, since May 20, at least 16 people, including two on Tuesday, have lost their lives due to heat-related illnesses, according to the Safety Ministry.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
