SEOUL, South Korea. South Korean authorities, in collaboration with the World Organization of the Scout Movement, are set to evacuate tens of thousands of young scouts from a coastal jamboree site as Tropical Storm Khanun approaches. The decision was announced on Monday as the storm continued its meandering path, posing a threat to the safety of the scouts.
Starting Tuesday morning, more than 1,000 vehicles will be utilized to move approximately 36,000 scouts, mostly teenagers, from the World Scout Jamboree in the southwestern county of Buan. The scouts hail from 158 countries and will be relocated to various venues in and around the capital city, Seoul. Authorities are working to secure spaces at government training centers, education facilities, and hotels to accommodate the participants during the evacuation process.
The coastal campsite, which has been hosting the jamboree, will no longer be used for any event after the scouts have been safely moved out. While some reports indicated that scouts from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark might be transferred to the Camp Humphreys U.S. military base, this was not immediately confirmed by officials.
The World Organization of the Scout Movement emphasized the need for a swift response from South Korea to move the scouts out of the storm’s path and provide necessary resources and support until they return to their home countries.
According to the latest weather reports, Tropical Storm Khanun is expected to make landfall in South Korea on Thursday morning, potentially bringing winds as strong as 118 to 154 kph (73 to 95 mph). Large parts of the country’s south, including the Buan area, could be affected by the storm as early as Wednesday.
Before the evacuation announcement, soaring temperatures had already compelled British and American scouts to leave the site and seek refuge in nearby hotels and military facilities. Several participants had been treated for heat-related ailments since the jamboree began.
In response to the impending storm, South Korea’s Safety Ministry instructed local officials to prepare for the closure of vulnerable sectors like coastal areas, hiking trails, river parks, and underpass tunnels.
While the evacuation marks an unexpected disruption to the jamboree, officials are working to create alternative programs and activities for the scouts to participate in before their departure. This includes the possibility of a K-pop concert at a Seoul soccer stadium on Friday, coinciding with the closing ceremony.
As authorities prepare for the evacuation, the safety and well-being of the young scouts remain the top priority.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
