[Nationwide Inside|Jeonbuk (3)] [Field Report] “We feel sorry for the kids”… Two Years After the Jamboree Disaster, Has Jeonbuk Changed?

[Cheonji Ilbo Jeonbuk=Reporter Kim Dong-hyun] In the summer of 2023, the Saemangeum plains failed to embrace over 40,000 youth from around the world, consumed instead by heat waves and typhoons. The premature closure of the 25th Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree raised grave concerns about Jeonbuk’s administrative competence and disaster response systems. Two years on, the province is now bidding for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Has Jeonbuk overcome its risk-prone event-driven governance? We revisited the Jamboree site and examined how the province is moving forward.

◆Traces of the Past, Echoes of the Disaster

Under the early summer sun at the end of May, the Saemangeum campsite stood silent. The once-crowded site, which hosted 42,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff from 156 countries, was now empty. Only a sign reading “25th World Scout Jamboree Campsite” and a lone leader center in the distance hinted at the event held there in 2023.

Two years ago, the site was filled with tents and sweaty Scouts wandering the treeless fields under the scorching sun. Cooling facilities were inadequate, and exhausted participants had to rest under limited shade. Shower facilities were broken, sewage overflowed, and hygiene conditions worsened daily. Scouts ended their nights on pallets soaked with water, plagued by insects. These scenes weren’t just unfortunate—they were the result of administrative neglect.

Local vendors and residents in Buan remember those days with unease and anger. They said they had concerns about the condition of the campsite and surrounding infrastructure long before the event. Seeing foreign youths eating hamburgers while sitting on sidewalks sparked feelings of embarrassment and outrage. “How could we treat guests like this?” many asked.

Yu Soo-young (71, male), who visited the site before the event, said the area was completely unfit for hosting. “The ground was so soft you couldn’t walk without boots. It was a place that never should’ve been chosen,” he said. “Even as the event neared, nothing was ready. Instead of anger, I felt worried.” He added, “There were just rows of tents, facilities weren’t in place, and the restrooms were in terrible shape. We wasted money and damaged Korea’s reputation.”

Lee Hae-ja (62, female), who runs a snack shop, said the lack of tourism infrastructure and food options made the event’s failure foreseeable. “They said they’d been preparing for years, but nothing was ready for welcoming people,” she criticized.

Watching TV, Park Young-sun (78, female) and Heo Kyung-ja (79, female) expressed sorrow for the foreign children who suffered under the sweltering heat. “They must have been dearly loved at home, and yet they endured all this here,” they said. “They had four years to prepare, but it was rushed and became a global embarrassment.” They emphasized that even if the central government was in charge, Jeonbuk should have taken responsibility to prevent such an outcome.

◆A Foreseen Disaster: What the Reports Say

The Jamboree was not merely a case of poor site management—it was a comprehensive failure from preparation to follow-up. The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) listed five core failure points in its independent review report: lack of preparation, flawed planning, lack of information, poor management, and failure in response.

According to the report, the site was an inadequately reviewed reclaimed area, largely treeless, with frequent breakdowns in toilets and showers. Water supply was unstable, meals were delayed, and cooling systems were lacking. Most activities took place outdoors under direct sunlight, exposing participants to extreme heat. As a result, many collapsed or visited clinics, where medical facilities were also insufficient.

The report pointed to vague decision-making structures between the organizing committee and the government and a lack of clear leadership. Delays in event planning were constant. Critically, the issues were not isolated but stemmed from rushed preparations without proper risk assessments from the outset.

In April this year, Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection released its own findings on the 2023 Jamboree. It identified 40 cases of illegal or improper conduct during planning, operation, and follow-up stages, recommending disciplinary action for officials and organizers.

Among the most serious issues was the failure to protect participants from the heat. The organizing committee canceled a pre-planned purchase of 148 tons of ice, claiming it was ineffective. Consequently, 893 heat-related illness cases occurred during the event, peaking at 163 in a single day. Despite purchasing salt to prevent dehydration, it was not distributed to early arrivals and was delayed even after the event started.

Hygiene infrastructure collapse was another key failure. Toilet and shower installations were reported as completed by June 2023, but remained unfinished when participants arrived. Sewage overflow and broken showers exposed the low standards of what was promoted as an international event.

◆Olympic Dreams Under the Jamboree’s Shadow

On November 12 last year, Jeonbuk submitted its official application to host the 2036 Summer Olympics to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and was selected as Korea’s candidate city in February. The province proposed three core visions: sustainability, balanced regional development, and a cultural Olympics. Its slogan, “Go Beyond, Create Harmony,” reflects a goal of using existing infrastructure and decentralized venues to promote equity.

Still, the scars of the Jamboree remain, and Jeonbuk must now prove it has changed. Students at Jeonbuk National University expressed both hope and concern.

Jung Yoo-jin (alias, 21, female) said, “The Jamboree failure left a strong impression. I understand the push for economic and global prestige, but more effort is needed.”

Park Hyung-wook (27, male) added, “When I visited the Jamboree site, it was clear the location and infrastructure were poorly chosen. Like Japan’s recent Osaka Expo, we shouldn’t waste space—we need to learn from the Jamboree failure and use it to grow.”

Yoon Na-kyung (21, female), from Wanju, voiced doubts: “With limited stadiums, commercial zones, and scenic appeal, I question why Jeonju is pursuing the Olympics. Still, I hope for a positive outcome.” She added, “Everything must change to succeed. Dubious budget spending must be avoided, and thorough preparation is a must. We need realistic dialogue with citizens—not just boasting about the bid.”

◆What Event-Driven Governance Leaves Behind

While Jeonbuk gained global attention from the Jamboree, the event ultimately revealed systemic weaknesses: inadequate preparation, lack of coordination, and finger-pointing. Heat-related illnesses, unfinished infrastructure, sewage problems, and broken sanitary facilities were all part of a comprehensive failure.

Analyses by both WOSM and the Board of Audit and Inspection directly challenge Jeonbuk’s readiness to host large-scale international events. This is not merely about past mistakes but about avoiding repetition through institutional reform and system upgrades.

To ensure the Olympics does not become another hollow event, Jeonbuk must overhaul its approach—from merely hosting to delivering real change and accountable execution. New branding alone doesn’t prove regional competency.

What truly matters now is not whether the province can win the bid, but whether it can deliver lasting, meaningful impact. With unused facilities and post-event voids still lingering, the real test of Jeonbuk’s readiness begins now.