Scouting Ireland has said Irish scouts are happy they stayed at the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea, despite challenging conditions, but are relieved the event is being moved to Seoul to avoid an incoming typhoon.
Typhoon Khanun, which has wreaked havoc in southern Japan, is forecast to reach southern South Korea on Thursday, near the jamboree's campsite in Jeolla province.
Scouting Ireland said that their departure plan is being managed by a Swedish scouter with expertise in this area and that he is being aided by Korean government agencies and the event organisers.
A total of 900 buses will be used to transfer scouts to their new accommodation. They are expected to begin leaving the jamboree site at 8am local time tomorrow morning. It is anticipated that it will take up to 14 hours for all 40,000 scouts on-site to be transported from the site.
Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland Jill Pitcher Farrell said the team has planned an early departure tomorrow, because of the incoming storm.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, she said: "In the Irish contingent, we're quite relieved at this decision, we think it's in the best interest of the staff here and it's the safest thing to do and there will be adequate time to get everyone off the site before any of the bad weather hits".
"The mood is still very positive. Everyone is in quite good spirits and doing quite well. There is of course a bit of disappointment that the event has to finish up early, but I think everyone knows it's the best decision possible.
"We definitely feel this was the right decision [to stay]. It was hot, there is no denying that fact, but I think a lot of our youth members had a really good time and enjoy the jamboree atmosphere," Ms Pitcher Farrell said.
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About 43,000 people joined the jamboree - from 155 countries - that kicked off in North Jeolla province last week, but an extreme heatwave caused hundreds of scouts, including a small number of Irish scouts, to fall ill, forcing Seoul to deploy military doctors, offer air-conditioned buses and vow an all-out effort to salvage the event.
'Final night at camp' feeling
"All of our young people who were suffering from issues with the heat have recovered at this point. There are still levels of tiredness but that's not abnormal when you're on a jamboree or any scout camp but none of them are currently receiving treatment," Ms Pitcher Farrell said.
She explained that despite the early ending, the jamboree still has the "final night at camp" feeling today with scouts from different countries exchanging badges and neckerchiefs.
"We'll be staying on [in Seoul] until Saturday doing, potentially, some activities that'll be arranged by the [South] Korean government and the jamboree organising committee and a post-camp that will go ahead as planned," she said.
American and British scout groups withdrew at the weekend, citing concerns over the extreme weather, even as organisers said the jamboree would continue, urging participants to view it as a "platform for overcoming challenges".
Kim Sung-ho, a senior interior ministry official, told a briefing that about 36,000 participants would be taken by bus to safer places that would not be in the path of the typhoon.
"I can say that it is the location that is only changing because of the natural disaster, but it is still continuing," Kim Hyun-sook, whose ministry is organising the event, told the same media briefing.
Officials are seeking alternate venues and accommodation in and around Seoul, as well as in university dorms.
The Jamboree was scheduled to run until 12 August.
"The World Organisation of the Scout Movement received confirmation this morning from the government of the Republic of Korea that due to the expected impact of Typhoon Khanun, an early departure will be planned for all participants," the scout body said in a statement.
"We urgently call on the government to expedite the plan for departure and provide all necessary resources and support for participants during their stay and until they return to their home countries," the scout body said.
Criticism over organisation
South Korea's presidential office said that President Yoon Suk Yeol was briefed on a contingency plan for the Jamboree as the typhoon approached.
Yonhap news agency reported that all afternoon activities have been cancelled and the participants will begin leaving the campsite from tomorrow morning.
South Korea last week issued its highest-level hot weather warning.
The exit of British, American and other scout troops was a significant PR setback for the South Korean government, which on Friday called an emergency cabinet meeting and mobilised aid.
The presidential office approved 6.9 billion won (€4.8 million) in spending to support the jamboree, and Mr Yoon on Saturday spoke by phone to camp organisers, urging them to offer more tourism programmes to the scouts.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on Saturday that organisers would "create and operate a tour programme featuring South Korea's industry, culture, history, and nature".
Local media has described the situation as a "national disgrace", given the time the country had to prepare for the event, which happens once every four years.
