On Monday, Deputy Minister of Education Lin Ming-yu (林明裕) announced that Taiwan has withdrawn its participation in the World Scout Jamboree. With soaring temperatures hitting South Korea’s Sinwanjin Camp, the base for the 25th World Scout Jamboree, it was reported that over 400 people sought treatment after experiencing heatstroke.
Lin says the conditions at the Korean camp were unexpected and some scouts expressed the desire to leave early due to issues like mosquitoes and extreme heat. Lin adds that the approaching typhoon also contributed to the decision to back out of the event.
According to Lin, Taiwan has sent over 1,600 people to participate in the event, including the members of the International Service Team. He says the withdrawal and other logistical arrangements will require South Korean authorities’ assistance.
Both groups from the United Kingdom and the U.S. have announced earlier that they will leave the jamboree in advance. Event officials later told reporters that they are preparing to cancel the event due to the looming Khanun typhoon.