South Korean authorities and world organisation earlier insisted event would proceed despite harsh weather and conditions.
The Scout Association of Hong Kong will withdraw more than 460 delegates to a world jamboree in South Korea over Typhoon Khanun, marking a U-turn from earlier announcements by authorities that the event would proceed despite extreme weather.
“As Typhoon Khanun is gradually moving towards South Korea, the Scout Association of Hong Kong has activated the emergency response plan and decided to leave the camp on or before August 9,” the association on Monday said on Facebook.
It added that the World Scout Jamboree delegates would be transferred to a safe place as soon as possible to ensure their safety.
The announcement came just before the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the host of the event, announced on its website that all participants would be leaving because of the incoming typhoon.
“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,” WOSM said.
On Saturday South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said at a news conference that the jamboree would not be cancelled, despite the country sweltering under an extreme heatwave.
