Thousands of Scouts have been evacuated from their campsite on the South Korean coast as a tropical storm threatens the peninsula. Buses have been used to transport over 37,000 Scouts, mostly teenagers, from the World Scout Jamboree that began last week in Buan. The Scouts will be relocated to venues in Seoul and the capital’s metropolitan area, including university dormitories, government and corporate training centers, and hotels.
Tropical Storm Khanun has been lingering around Japan’s southwestern islands, causing heavy rain, power outages, and home damage for more than a week. As of Tuesday morning, the storm was located 217 miles south of Kagoshima, Japan, and had winds of 67 mph with gusts up to 89 mph. Moving slowly north, Khanun is expected to strengthen slightly before making landfall on the Korean Peninsula on Thursday morning. Evacuating the Scouts from the coastal campsite is anticipated to take at least six hours.
The decision to evacuate the Scouts came after the World Organization of the Scout Movement urged South Korea to quickly move the participants out of the storm’s path and provide necessary resources until they return to their home countries. The extreme heat of the South Korean summer had already led to the departure of thousands of British and American scouts. The British scouts, approximately 4,500 in number, were relocated to hotels in Seoul, while the American scouts, around 1,000, were moved to Camp Humphreys, a major U.S. military base south of Seoul.
This marks the first time in over a century of World Scout Jamborees that such compounded challenges have been faced, according to Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary-General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Concerns had been raised about the large number of young people exposed to the summer heat in an area devoid of trees and protection. After the Scouts leave, the campsite will not be used for any future events.
Tropical Storm Khanun is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to South Korea from Wednesday to Friday. The country’s safety ministry has instructed local officials to prepare for the closure of coastal areas, hiking trails, river parks, underpass tunnels, and other flood-prone places. The storm’s approach has also affected events in neighboring Japan, with the venue for an atomic bombing anniversary ceremony in Nagasaki being changed to an indoor location.
The preparations and response to Tropical Storm Khanun highlight the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of participants in large-scale international events. Moving thousands of Scouts within a tight timeframe requires comprehensive planning and coordination. As the storm approaches, South Korea and Japan will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary precautions to safeguard their respective populations.
