South Korea to Evacuate Over 30,000 Scouts Amid Approaching Typhoon Khanun

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With Tropical Storm Khanun threatening South Korea, authorities announced on Monday that 36,000 scouts from the World Scout Jamboree will be evacuated from Buan county. The evacuation, orchestrated by vice minister Kim Sung-ho, will begin on Tuesday morning, involving more than 1,000 vehicles.

Most of the scouts, representing 158 countries, will find shelter in Seoul and its surrounding areas. The evacuation, expected to take over six hours, includes arranging accommodations at government centers, educational facilities, and hotels.

The situation at Camp Humphreys, a significant U.S. military base south of Seoul, remains unconfirmed, with reports of possible transfers of scouts from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Meanwhile, American scouts had already been relocated due to the heatwave that has marked one of South Korea’s hottest summers.

The World Organization of the Scout Movement called for swift action and urged South Korea to support the participants until their safe return. However, detailed plans are still awaited.

Khanun’s erratic journey has caused disruption in Japan’s southwestern islands, with heavy rainfall, power outages, and interference with flights and train services. It is expected to maintain its strength as it approaches Kyushu, Japan, with winds ranging from 108 kph (67 mph) to potentially 154 kph (95 mph) when it makes landfall in South Korea on Thursday.

The country’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has called for contingency plans, including relocation to hotels and facilities in the greater capital area. The storm’s impacts have already resulted in one death and 70 injuries in Okinawa, Japan, and may affect train services in the region.

Due to the hot weather, British and American scouts were already relocated to Seoul and Camp Humphreys, respectively. Concerns over heat-related ailments had surfaced even before the jamboree began.

Norwegian scouts began evacuation on Monday, with leader Geir Olav Kaase emphasizing the smooth process and collaboration with the Danish contingent. Sweden’s news agency TT reported that around 1,500 Swedish scouts will be relocated to Camp Humphreys as well.

South Korea’s minister of gender equality and family, Kim Hyun-sook, announced potential cultural events and activities, including a possible K-pop concert, for the scouts before their departure.

Organizers were actively working on evacuation plans but haven’t yet decided to abandon the campsite entirely. They have secured more than 340 evacuation venues in nearby regions, and the jamboree’s secretary-general, Choi Chang-haeng, reassured that new programs are in development away from the campsite.

The jamboree saw about 40,000 scouts, with the largest contingents from the U.K. and the United States. Khanun is categorized as a typhoon by South Korea and is expected to weaken into a storm within the next five days.

Contributors from Tokyo and Copenhagen provided additional information to this report.

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• World Scout Jamboree
• South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety
• Korea Meteorological Administration
• Japan Meteorological Agency – Typhoon Information
• U.S. Military Base – Camp Humphreys
• World Organization of the Scout Movement