The 25th World Scout Jamboree concluded on Friday, Aug. 11, with a closing ceremony and a K-pop concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Despite the challenges and complications faced throughout the 12-day event, approximately 40,000 participants gathered for the ceremony. The stadium was heavily secured, with 2,500 police officers, 400 traffic police officers, 30 police cars, and 70 multilingual volunteers managing the crowd and traffic control near the venue.
During the closing ceremony, Scout representatives from South Korea handed over the Scout flag to representatives from Poland, the host country for the 26th World Scout Jamboree in 2027. Ahmad Alhendawi, secretary-general of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, praised the delegates in his farewell speech for their resilience and determination in the face of numerous challenges and extreme weather conditions.
Originally scheduled to take place at the Saemangeum campsite in North Jeolla Province, the closing ceremony was moved to the Jeonju World Cup Stadium due to concerns about accidents and heat-related illnesses. The venue was changed once again due to the threat of Typhoon Khanun hitting the country. The 25th jamboree faced criticism for its poor preparation and management in dealing with the intense heat wave and typhoon, leading some countries to withdraw from the event early.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duk-soo apologized to the attendees in his closing speech, expressing remorse for the Scouts’ suffering caused by the unprecedented heat wave and typhoon. He commended the Scouts’ scouting spirit and their ability to overcome difficulties while taking care of one another. Han hoped that the cultural experiences and the K-pop concert would be cherished memories for the Scouts.
Following the closing ceremony, a K-pop concert featuring 19 artists, including Mamamoo, NCT Dream, NewJeans, Itzy, the Boyz, Kang Daniel, and fromis_9, took place. The concert was hosted by actor Gong Myoung, Yuna of Itzy, and Hyein of NewJeans. The performances were met with great enthusiasm from the audience, with everyone singing and dancing along to the hit songs.
After the concert, Scouts began to return to their homes, but the government announced plans to provide additional support for those who wished to stay longer in the country. Despite the challenges faced, the 25th World Scout Jamboree ended on a high note, leaving participants with unforgettable memories.
