Attendees of the World Scout Jamboree prepare to leave a scout camping site in Buan, South Korea, Aug 8, 2023. South Korea will evacuate tens of thousands of scouts by bus from a coastal jamboree site as Tropical Storm Khanun looms, officials said on Monday. (NEWSIS VIA AP)

HONG KONG – The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau has urged the Scout Association of Hong Kong (SAHK) to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of all members taking part in the World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, South Korea, as Typhoon Khanun approaches the country.

Noting that the association has activated an emergency plan, the bureau said in a statement on Monday, “The HYAB urges the SAHK to implement relevant measures to ensure the safety of all participating members, particularly taking the health and safety of young members as the prime consideration.”

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The HYAB urges again the SAHK to adopt appropriate measures to advise and assist members to immediately return to Hong Kong before the typhoon comes.

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, HKSAR

With high temperatures persisting in the area, and with conditions there expected to deteriorate rapidly, the bureau is maintaining close contact with the association.

The SAHK members participating in the jamboree have to be removed to a safe location on or before Aug 9. They will return to Hong Kong as early as possible after that.

Assistance from the bureau includes liaising with the Immigration Department and the airline with whom the Scouts are booked.

The bureau said it was gravely concerned that some SAHK members may try to stay behind to participate in events that have not yet been canceled or arrange activities on their own.

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Attendees of the World Scout Jamboree leave a scout camping site in Buan, South Korea, Aug 8, 2023. (YONHAP VIA AP)

“The HYAB urges again the SAHK to adopt appropriate measures to advise and assist members to immediately return to Hong Kong before the typhoon comes,” the statement reads.