State auditor to launch probe into problem-ridden Jamboree

Participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree wave as they prepare to return to their home countries at Incheon International Airport, Sunday. Yonhap

Many Scouts explore Korean culture even after Jamboree ends

By Lee Hyo-jin

The state audit agency is reviewing a plan to investigate the sloppy management of the 25th World Scout Jamboree starting as early as this week, after the 12-day gathering came to an end on Saturday.

According to sources and multiple reports, the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) is preparing an investigation targeting related organizations including the Jamboree organizing committee, North Jeolla Provincial Government, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Once launched, the probe is expected to encompass hundreds of government officials of the incumbent Yoon Suk Yeol and previous Moon Jae-in administrations.

The major global event, which attracted over 43,000 participants from over 150 countries, had been prepared throughout the last six years since August 2017 when the reclaimed tidal flat of Saemangeum in North Jeolla Province was selected as the Jamboree venue.

The audit will cover areas ranging from the selection process of Saemangeum as the main venue and operation of the organizing committee, along with budget expenditures by the organizers.

The Jamboree organizing committee has come under fire over its botched priorities in budget allocation following recent revelations that about 74 percent of the total 117.1 billion won ($89 million) budget was used for operational and personnel expenses. Only 10 percent of the total spending, or 12.9 billion won, was used for the construction of showers, toilets and drinking water facilities at the campsite.

Rep. Kim Yoon-deok of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who was one of the co-chairpersons of the World Scout Jamboree, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly, Sunday, during which he proposed a parliamentary inspection to look into issues surrounding the Jamboree. Yonhap

Rival parties trade barbs over Jamboree fiasco

Both the ruling and opposition party lawmakers are seeking to get to the bottom of the problem-ridden Jamboree, but they differ in interpreting who should ultimately be held accountable.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) blamed the "incompetent and irresponsible" Yoon Suk Yeol administration for the Jamboree chaos.

"The government and ruling party may attempt to shirk responsibility by shifting all the blame onto North Jeolla Provincial Government while using the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family as a scapegoat," Rep. Kim Sung-joo of the DPK told reporters, Sunday.

Kim demanded an official apology from Yoon, as well as the resignation of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who he viewed as the de facto "control tower" for Jamboree planning and management.

The opposition lawmaker also questioned the credibility of the BAI's soon-to-be launched probe, saying that the audit is unlikely to scrutinize the incumbent administration thoroughly.

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The ruling People Power Party (PPP), on the other hand, claimed that the previous Moon administration should be held accountable.

"The biggest factor (behind the Jamboree incident) is the failure of the Moon Jae-in administration to properly prepare for the event during its five-year term," Rep. Yoo Sang-bum of the PPP said during a press conference, also on Sunday.

He requested the state audit agency launch an extensive, far-reaching investigation immediately to identify the issues surrounding the Jamboree event swiftly.

Yoo, however, cautioned against dismissal of Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook, saying that his party has not discussed recommending Kim's dismissal to the president.

The gender equality minister, who was among the co-chairpersons of the Jamboree, is in the hot seat over the Jamboree fiasco. Critics, including some opposition politicians, have been demanding that Kim should be sacked for poor planning and management of the global event.

Since the World Scout Jamboree kicked off on Aug. 1, the quadrennial festival has made headlines in the nation and around the world due mainly to its poor preparation that saw thousands of heat stroke patients at the campsite, as well as sanitation issues.

On the seventh day of the event, all participants had to pull out of the Saemangeum campsite due to an approaching typhoon and spent the remaining days spread out across eight cities and provinces including Seoul.

British Scouts enjoy the Dragon Coaster ride at Legoland in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Saturday. Yonhap

The 12-day schedule wrapped up with a finale K-pop concert in Seoul on Friday evening, and over 10,000 of the 43,000 or so total participants returned to their home countries over the weekend.

But many other Scouts have extended their stays in Korea to make the most of their visit.

They have immersed themselves in Korean culture, history and nature in different cities and provinces under various tour programs arranged by local governments and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

According to Busan Metropolitan Government, some 900 Swedish participants of the Jamboree arrived on Saturday at the southeastern port city, where they will stay until Tuesday. After spending time at Gwangalli Beach over the weekend, the Scouts will visit major tourist spots including the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, Gamcheon Culture Village and local temples.

Ukrainian Scouts have extended their stay until Aug. 19 to enjoy cultural programs offered by Gyeonggido Institute for Global Education. Their tour includes a visit to Gyeongbok Palace and Insa-dong in downtown Seoul, as well as Suwon Hwaseong Fortress in Gyeonggi Province.

The British contingent traveled to Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on Saturday, where they explored Legoland Korea Resort, an amusement park operated by U.K.-based Merlin Entertainments.

Participants of the World Scout Jamboree wearing hanbok, Korean traditional attire, pose at Gyeongbok Palace in downtown Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

Wrapping up the Jamboree, Prime Minister Han said that the Korean government's efforts to revitalize the event were well-received by participating countries.

"The U.K. contingent, which was the first to pull out of the Saemangeum campsite, expressed hopes through Deputy Ambassador Gareth Weir (at the British Embassy in Seoul) that they would like to participate in the closing ceremony and the K-pop concert," Han said in a Facebook post, Saturday.

"We gladly said yes, and 4,000 British Scouts who were scattered throughout various accommodations were able to come to the concert in government-provided buses and have a great time."

Han added that Weir expressed gratitude for "the goodwill and problem-solving capabilities of the Korean government."