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| This Aug. 30 photo shows Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, where the World Scout Jamboree took place earlier that month. Yonhap |
By Jun Ji-hye
Local governments paid a total of nearly 15 billion won ($11 million) to cover the costs of offering accommodations, food and cultural events to World Scout Jamboree participants, who had to evacuate the campsite earlier than scheduled due to safety concerns and other problems, according to an opposition lawmaker, Thursday.
Rep. Lim Ho-seon of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea said the money could have been saved if the Jamboree event had proceeded normally, claiming that taxpayers' money was wasted due to a lack of preparations for the event that resulted in hygiene problems, insect control failure and shortages of sanitary facilities, as well as safety concerns amid the heat wave and incoming Typhoon Khanun at the time.
Adding to the controversy is that some of those local governments are still waiting after more than a month for the money promised by the central government, which is meant to settle the costs.
The quadrennial event, which kicked off on Aug. 1 in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, brought to Korea over 43,000 young Scouts and adult volunteers from more than 150 countries. But the event devolved into a nightmare amid severe criticism internationally over the poor planning and unpleasant conditions.
The U.K., U.S. and Singapore delegations decided on an early departure from the campsite, citing health risks posed to the participants. The remaining participants were later evacuated to some 130 lodgings around Seoul and other regions on Aug. 8 ― four days ahead of their initial schedule ― due to the approaching typhoon. They then participated in alternative programs offered by local governments until the event ended on Aug. 12.
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| Scouts head to buses at the campsite of the World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, Aug. 8, to move to other parts of the country due to approaching Typhoon Khanun. Korea Times photo by Kim Jae-hyun |
According to Lim, 11 local governments executed a budget of 14.9 billion won in total to pay for the Jamboree participants' transportation, accommodations, food and cultural events.
The government of North Jeolla Province spent 6.5 billion won, the most among other local administrations, followed by 2.12 billion won spent by Gyeonggi Province, 1.82 billion won by South Chungcheong Province and 1.81 billion won by Seoul.
On Aug. 9, the central government vowed to cover the costs spent by the local governments, but it has since failed to present a detailed measure and schedule for the payments.
"There has been no consensus yet about which ministry should make the payment," Lim said. "For example, a local government that provided a university dormitory in the region to accommodate relocated Jamboree participants still does not know whether the costs should be covered by the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of the Interior and Safety."
The lawmaker continued, "The government should promptly make the payment to local governments that fully supported the Jamboree participants."
In North Jeolla Province, drivers who lent their chartered buses to transport the Jamboree participants warned of a rally, claiming that the local government has postponed the rental payment.
Local media quoted one bus driver as saying that 1,100 buses were mobilized per day on average at the time, with the rental fees amounting to 5.6 billion won.
The drivers said they will hold a rally in Seoul if the North Jeolla Province government fails to pay by mid-September.
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| Members of the Provincial Council of North Jeolla Province have their heads shaved in front of the provincial office, Tuesday, in protest of the Ministry of Economy and Finance's decision to cut next year's budget for the projects to develop the Saemangeum area by nearly 80 percent. Yonhap |
Meanwhile, 14 members of the Provincial Council of North Jeolla Province had their heads shaved, Tuesday, in protest of the Ministry of Economy and Finance's decision to cut next year's budget for projects to develop the Saemangeum area by nearly 80 percent, compared to this year.
The projects are mainly aimed at building an airport, a sea port, highways and other infrastructure facilities in the region.
"The curtailment in the budget shows the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's attempt to shift the responsibility for the Jamboree fiasco to North Jeolla Province," the 14 members claimed in a statement. "It amounts to political retaliation and an act of violence."
The council also called for dismissing Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook for attributing the failed international event to Saemangeum's infested wetland, although she co-chaired the organizing committee.
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