By Sohn JiAe

Korea has won its bid to host the 25th World Scout Jamboree in 2023.

The Jeollabuk-do Provincial Government Office announced that the Saemangeum region (새만금), an estuarine tidal flat and expanse of reclaimed land on the province's Yellow Sea coast, had been selected as the host for the global Scouting festival. It beat out Poland’s Gdansk in a ballot, 607 to 365. The election was held as part of the 41st World Scout Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Aug. 17.

The World Scout Jamboree brings together Scouts from around the world every four years, promoting international understanding of their different countries and political ideologies and, also, friendship between them.

With the winning bid, this will become the second time for the festival to be held in Korea, first back in 1991 in Goseong County in Gangwon-do Province.

The World Scout Jamboree in the Saemangeum region is set for August 2023 and will run for 12 days. The theme will be “Draw your Dream.” More than 50,000 youth from a total of 168 countries are expected to attend. The Scouting grounds will span approximately 9.9 square kilometers, with the camping area in the center, surrounded by a meeting space, exhibitions and other amenities.

President Moon Jae-in sent a congratulatory message, saying, “The Saemangeum region is a land of challenge and exploration. I’m confident that it will be the best place for all Scouts from around the world to explore their potential and to nurture their dreams.”

jiae5853@korea.kr