VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

South Korea on Tuesday evacuated the majority of teenage scouts from their campsite ahead of an approaching typhoon, the latest disruption to the World Scout Jamboree which has been marred by illness and criticism of its organisation and facilities.

More than 1,000 buses were being deployed to move the scouts out of the southwest, a region that Typhoon Khanun is expected to hit as early as Wednesday.

There were about 36,000 participants at the campsite, near Buan city, and more than two-thirds have already left, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min told reporters.

Seoul and its surrounding province of Gyeonggi would host almost half the scouts, with the rest fanning out to six other areas, Lee said. Police cars and helicopters will escort the convoys to safety, he added.

South Korean organisers are keen to minimise any further problems at the jamboree, the first global gathering of scouts since the pandemic. Since the event began last week, hundreds of participants have fallen ill due to a heatwave, triggering criticism from the public and parents about a lack of preparation.

The British scout contingent, the event's biggest, also left early, citing poor sanitation and food quality, among other concerns. The U.S. scout group followed.

"This is the first time in more than 100 years of World Scout Jamborees that we have had to face such compounded challenges," Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, said in a statement.

At the sprawling campsite, scouts dismantled tents and folded up ground sheets, before carrying their backpacks to board nearby buses.

Typhoon Khanun, which has already wreaked havoc in southern Japan, is moving toward South Korea bringing heavy rain and winds of up to 125 kph (78 mph) as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the weather agency.

Khanun is expected to hit southern regions of South Korea on Wednesday afternoon before tracking up the peninsula, prompting the government to raise its typhoon alert to the highest level and close some roads, mountain trails and beaches.

President Yoon Suk Yeol called for thorough preparations for the typhoon, warning of further damage especially in areas struck by last month's torrential rain. He also ordered the scouts to be evacuated without a glitch.

"We will make every effort to ensure their safety until the end of the event, so that young people from all over the world can return home with good memories," Yoon told an emergency meeting held for the typhoon.

Poland is due to host the next World Scout Jamboree in 2027, but President Andrzej Duda cancelled plans to attend this year's closing ceremony due to the typhoon, an official at the Polish Embassy in Seoul said.

A closing ceremony, to be followed by a K-pop concert, will now be held on Saturday at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, the culture ministry said.

South Korea has successfully hosted several major events including the summer and winter Olympic Games, as well as jointly hosting the soccer World Cup with Japan. The port city of Busan is currently bidding to host the Expo in 2030. (Reuters)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reminded of the purpose of the ASEAN, established 56 years ago, to make the region peaceful, stable, and prosperous.

"Today, 56 years ago, ASEAN was established to make Southeast Asia a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. Today, I want us to reaffirm that spirit and determination," Jokowi remarked at the commemoration event of ASEAN's 56th Anniversary at the ASEAN Secretariat Building here on Tuesday.

The head of state noted that the current global dynamics and challenges are not easy to overcome along with the still-recovering global economy after the pandemic and sharper rivalries between countries.

However, President Jokowi expressed belief that the ASEAN is able to face these global challenges as long as it remains united.

According to the president, the ASEAN is characterized by much diversity that complements and strengthens each other.

The differences among ASEAN member states do not hinder the region's determination and ideals, he affirmed.

The head of state also emphasized that the ASEAN should be able to become the epicentrum of growth that proffers greater benefits to the people of the region and the world.

Hence, to this end, Jokowi urged the ASEAN to utilize its economic growth, demographic bonus, and the best economic opportunities.

"We must take advantage of this momentum to make ASEAN the future of the world, as an anchor of peace, stability, and world prosperity," Jokowi stated.

President Jokowi further stated that Indonesia, as the chair of ASEAN this year, is keen to build a strong foundation in the region, so that it is able to face challenges and respond to global dynamics.

After delivering his remarks, President Jokowi cut the nasi tumpeng, or yellow rice that is consumed during special occasions, and handed the first piece to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and the second piece to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that all matters pertaining to the implementation of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, scheduled in Jakarta on September 5-7, 2023, have been prepared.

After attending the ASEAN 56th Anniversary commemoration event here on Tuesday, Jokowi explained that the readiness is expected to reach 100 percent ahead of the Southeast Asian bloc's summit in September 2023.

"Everything has been planned and prepared, and we hope that everything will be 100-percent ready during the ASEAN Summit in September," Jokowi remarked.

When ANTARA sought confirmation on the presence of non-ASEAN heads of state who will attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Jokowi stated that everything is still in progress.

"So far, (everything) is under process," he remarked.

Similarly, responding to whether US President Joe Biden will attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit, Jokowi stated that everything is still in progress.

"The (attendance) confirmation is still under process," he noted.

In May 2023, eight ASEAN heads of state, the ASEAN Secretary General, and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak attended the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.

Thailand and Myanmar did not attend the 42nd Summit.

During the commemoration event of ASEAN's 56th Anniversary, President Jokowi stated that Indonesia, as the chair of ASEAN this year, is keen to build a strong foundation in the region, so that it is able to face challenges and respond to global dynamics.

"We realize that Myanmar's situation is still a challenge, (and) ASEAN helps Myanmar with the Five-Point Consensus. However, we must realize that the situation can be resolved if there is political will throughout Myanmar," Jokowi stated.

The president remarked that the ASEAN is a "vessel" that must continue to sail forward.

"This vessel must not sink, as this is our responsibility for hundreds of (millions) of lives, the people who are on board," Jokowi remarked. (antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo  invited ambassadors of ASEAN countries and several partner countries to ride the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) from Bundaran HI Station to ASEAN Station in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Widodo invited the ambassadors to ride the MRT on the commemoration of ASEAN's 56th Anniversary, or the ASEAN Day.

He arrived at Bundaran HI Station, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, at around 8:30 a.m. local time.

Several ministers and officials, including Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, President Director of MRT Jakarta Tuhiyat, Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono, and Chief of the Greater Jakarta Police, Inspector General Karyoto, accompanied the president.

Before boarding the MRT, the MRT president director gave Widodo a special edition multi-use card that was launched to commemorate ASEAN's 56th Anniversary.

He then tapped the MRT access card on the turnstile and thereafter boarded the MRT train along with the foreign ambassadors.

During their journey, Widodo and the ambassadors engaged in some conversations. After arriving at the ASEAN Station, they walked to the ASEAN Secretariat Office to attend the ASEAN Day event.

Earlier, on Monday, at the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly in Jakarta, President Widodo stated that the ASEAN needs the support of its parliaments to realize a prosperous Southeast Asian region.

A survey conducted by the EU-ASEAN Business Sentiment, which had nearly 600 responses from the European private sector, revealed that the ASEAN is considered as a region with the best economic opportunities, at 63 percent, surpassing China, 12 percent, and India, eight percent.

Around 80 percent of the respondents in the survey also view ASEAN as an important region, and approximately 84 percent are keen to increase their trade transactions with ASEAN. (Antaranews)