Summary:
- The World Scout Jamboree in South Korea will continue despite extreme heat and complaints from parents about the safety of the children.
- Tens of thousands of scouts have gathered at the event, and temperatures have reached over 91-degree Fahrenheit, causing hundreds of participants to fall ill.
- The government is trying to address the issues by providing more water trucks, air-conditioned spaces, and medical support.
- Some countries, like the U.S. and Singapore, have decided to move elsewhere due to the challenges posed by the extreme weather.
The World Scout Jamboree in South Korea will go on despite calls for it to be cancelled due to extreme heat. That's according to the country's Prime Minister Han Duk-soo on Saturday.
Tens of thousands of scouts aged between 14 to 18 years old had flocked to Semang-gun on South Korea's West Coast.
Temperatures have hit over 91-degree Fahrenheit. Hundreds of participants have already fallen ill due to the searing temperatures, prompting complaints from parents over the safety of the children. Kristen Sayers from the U.S. state of Virginia said her 17-year-old son, Corey, dreamed to take part in the jamboree at a cost of $6,500 had turned into a, quote, nightmare. It sounds like the problems with this go way beyond the heat. There's not enough food. There's not enough water. The government promised more water trucks, air-conditioned spaces and medics in an attempt to save the event, which is said to run till August 12.In an effort to calm the situation, South Korean President Yoon-suk Hyo ordered officials to roll out tour programs showcasing Korean culture and nature in Seoul and other cities and make it available for all scouts. Some countries, including the Philippines and Argentina, have said they would remain at the campsite despite challenges from extreme weather. The U.S. contingent will take part in a jamboree program on Saturday, before moving to U.S. Army garrison Humphreys near the jamboree site on Sunday. According to an email sent to parents that cited the difficulties posed by the ongoing extreme weather. Britain, the largest grouping at the jamboree, said on Friday they were moving to hotels in Seoul for the rest of their stay to alleviate pressure on the site. They were seen leaving the campsite on Saturday morning.