August 10, 2023
SEOUL – To give Scouts the opportunity to make the most of the remaining days of the World Scout Jamboree, which ends Saturday, national museums and galleries are actively preparing to extend a warm welcome to all participants.
As of Wednesday afternoon, all 37,000 participants have departed from the Saemangeum campsite — located on reclaimed land in Buan, North Jeolla Province — according to reports from the organizing committee.
For accommodations, participants will be dispersed across the eight different cities and provinces of Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon, Sejong, Gyeonggi Province, the South and North Chungcheong provinces and North Jeolla Province. During the day, Scouts will venture to different areas to immerse themselves in various aspects of Korea, including its industry, culture, history and nature.
In response to these travel arrangements, the Korea Tourism Organization established a dedicated task force team on Tuesday to operate until the conclusion of the global event. The team will manage logistics and provide essential travel support.
The “Travel Information Center for Jamboree Scouts” has been set up at the KTO’s HiKR Ground in central Seoul. The facility allows participants to freely drop by to ask questions about Korea, while also engaging in K-pop dance classes and partaking in tours.
Starting Wednesday, the Seoul city government has installed a Jamboree Community Square at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall. The gathering space will operate until Sunday, providing an avenue for Scouts to engage and foster connections among themselves.
Meanwhile, the Culture Ministry came up with five distinct themes to experience Korea’s history and culture of the past and present. Ranging from tradition to modernity, and nature to science, contingents to the World Scout Jamboree can select the theme that resonates with them.
The National Museum of Korea is offering participants guided tours of permanent exhibitions, complete with English commentaries, led by museum curators. Those who wish to can additionally access a special exhibition featuring clay figurines and other items from the Three Kingdoms period, with no admission charges.
Beyond the guided permanent exhibition tour, an array of experiential programs are designed to offer hands-on Korean cultural experiences, such as porcelain making and crafting stamps in Hangeul.
Jamboree Scouts observe an exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, in Seoul on Tuesday. (MMCA)
A Jamboree participant looks through items on display at the National Museum of Korea’s souvenir shop in Seoul on Tuesday. (NMK)
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, has been welcoming Jamboree participants since last week, presenting free exhibitions at its locations in Seoul, Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, and Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.
The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is also extending an invitation to Jamboree participants for a special Hallyu exhibition that illuminates the world of K-pop. The outdoor area of the National Folk Museum of Korea has a space designed to replicate the 1970s and ’80s in Korea, where participants can take photos while strolling around.
Several performances will take place at the National Gugak Center, offering a culturally enriching experience for Scouts.
“K-culture will merge seamlessly with Jamboree activities. We are committed to ensuring that Jamboree Scouts can deeply engage with Korean culture even after their departure from the campsite,” Culture Minister Park Bo-gyoon said.
Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of Scouts from the impending Typhoon Khanun, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min has ordered that the government prohibit all outdoor programs for Jamboree participants on Thursday.
Some 2,800 participants from eight countries, including Sweden, Belgium, Canada and Ireland, are scheduled to remain in Korea for a few more days after the official World Scout Jamboree concludes to participate in cultural programs. Participants will be offered accommodation at college dormitories.