Closing ceremony of the 25th World Scout Jamboree reunites Scouts at Seoul World Cup Stadium

The 25th World Scout Jamboree, a spectacular showcase of cultural exchange and youth leadership development bringing together over 40,000 Scouts from across the globe, culminated in a grand closing ceremony and K-Pop concert on 11 August at the Republic of Korea's iconic Seoul World Cup Stadium. 

The ten-day Jamboree event was an unforgettable experience for both young people and volunteers who took part in a wide range adventure and educational activities before an extreme heatwave and Typhoon Khunan changed the course of the event for participants. 

Th event, which faced a number of compounded challenges in the first few days, including adverse weather events, eventually disrupted the scheduled programme for the Jamboree, forcing Scouts to depart from the campsite earlier than expected and relocate to multiple sites in Seoul and across the country. The Korean Government, supported by hundreds of volunteer Scouts on the ground, facilitated the departure of participants ensuring that everyone left the campsite safely and securely. 

With the typhoon downgraded to a tropical storm, in true Scouting spirit, young people and volunteers made the most of their unexpected Jamboree experience to explore Korea by getting into nature, visiting museums and temples, joining traditional tea ceremonies, enjoying theme park activities, and more. 

Scouts then reunited at the Seoul World Cup Stadium for the closing ceremonies of the 25th World Scout Jamboree, bringing participants together again for an unforgettable evening of performances, speeches, and heartwarming moments. 

The event featured a dynamic video recap of the Jamboree, and participants recited the Scout Promise in a show of unity. Following the tradition of past Jamborees, Korean Scouts also handed the World Scouting flag to young representatives of Poland as the future host of the 26th World Scout Jamboree in 2027.

Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, delivered a passionate closing speech, highlighting how this Jamboree has been a testament to the determination, cooperation, and boundless potential of young people coming together for a common purpose. He thanked the incredible work of International Service Team volunteers for their service, and acknowledged the Korean Government and Korean people for their support and hospitality.

Jenny Jeyeun LIM, a Youth Lead for on of the Jamboree divisions and Deputy International Commissioner of the Korea Scout Association, also offered closing remarks infused with gratitude and unity. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo then closed out the event, wishing Scouts a safe journey home. 

The closing ceremony was followed by a performance of 19 top K-Pop acts including: IVE, NewJeans, NCT Dream, ITZY, MAMAMOO, The Boyz, Shownu X Hyungwon, fromis_9, Zerobaseone, Kang Daniel, Kwon Eun-Bi, Jo Yu-Ri, P1Harmony, KARD, The New Six, ATBO, xikers, Holybang, and Libelante. The show electrified the audience of Scouts, giving everyone one last memorable moment to end their Jamboree experience before travelling home. 

The 25th World Scout Jamboree enabled Scouts to embrace adventure, immersing themselves in camping, educational activities, and unforgettable experiences. Despite the hurdles, Scouts broadened their horizons and showed incredible adaptability while also exploring the cultural heritage of South Korea during the once-in-a-lifetime Jamboree.