Heat wave-hit scouts camping brings diplomatic challenge to South Korea

ISTANBUL

South Korea is facing a diplomatic challenge as thousands of scouts from around the world camping in the country are facing tough times due to sweltering heat.

Dozens of participants at the 25th World Scout Jamboree have fallen ill since its opening this week. Some 43,000 young scouts from 158 countries are camping at Saemangeum Reclaimed Area along the southwestern coastal region of South Korea.

To address concerns raised by foreign diplomatic missions in Seoul, the South Korean Foreign Ministry has established a temporary task force, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

Seoul has invited the diplomatic corps to “brief them on measures being taken to address problems at the jamboree site.”

The global event is also known as the "Cultural Olympics for Youth."

This year's unusually hot summer weather, which has so far killed at least 23 people nationwide, is expected to continue throughout the 12-day event, with temperatures likely to hover around 35C (95F) in most parts of the country.

Authorities have raised the heat wave alert to "serious," the highest level in the four-stage warning system, for the first time since 2019.

Meanwhile, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Friday revised down the number of deaths due to heat wave in the country.

The KDCA said there were at least 18 deaths caused by the heat wave from 20 May to the end of July. Earlier, the authorities had put the number at 23.