# Korea Scout Association

The Korea Scout Association (Korean: 한국스카우트연맹) is the national Scouting association of South Korea.
Scouting was founded in Korea in 1922 while under Japanese rule, and sent representatives to the first Far East Scouting competition in Beijing in 1924. However, it was banned by the occupation authorities from 1937 until August 15, 1945. It existed in all areas of the Korean peninsula prior to the Korean War in 1950. World Organization of the Scout Movement recognition came in 1953. The total membership in 2011 was 201,455 registered Scouts.
Dr. Kim Yong-woo, the first Tiger Scout and former Minister of National Defense was awarded the Bronze Wolf Award, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting, in 1975.

## History
### Scouting during Japanese rule

Japanese military authorities did not consistently encourage the Scouting movement in occupied territories. Where local conditions were favorable, authorities would permit local Scouting or introduce Japanese-style Scouting, or Shōnendan, and sometimes even made this compulsory. On the other hand, where conditions were not favorable, and anti-Japanese sentiments were likely to be nurtured through Scouting, the authorities would prohibit it entirely. Scouting in Korea was prohibited by the Japanese occupation authorities from 1937 to 1945.

## Program and ideals

The Tiger Scout is the highest rank and award the Scout and the Venture Scout may achieve.
An active Air Scout program is also popular.
The Scout Motto is 준비, pronounced jun bi, Preparation in Korean.
Officially the round-shaped outer petals of the new purple fleur-de-lis are based on the taeguk, symbolizing hope of reunification of the Korean peninsula. A tiger head, symbolizing bravery, is also featured.

### Councils

The KSA operates and maintains 21 councils, 18 geographical, 3 religious, and a National Council for top-level staff and employees.
| council | 2015 membership | founding year | council badge or totem |
| Buddhism | | | a lotus flower |
| Busan | 23,993 Scouts and 1,395 leaders | 1963 | seagull, the official bird of the city of Busan; the council has an organized sea-based water activity facility, and diverse Scout aquatic programs such as water rescue and first-aid |
| Catholic | 2,163 Scouts and 854 leaders | 2003 | the second newest council in the KSA, and the first council based on religion; the symbol of the Catholic Council is Jesus in white caftan with magic wand |
| Chungbuk | 12,795 Scouts and 1,053 leaders | 1958 | a boy and a girl in traditional Korean costume |
| Chungnam | 19,503 Scouts and 1,467 leaders | 1958 | a turtle, which is slow but patient; council now specifically includes Sejong City |
| Daegu | 16,434 Scouts and 1,421 leaders | 1981 | eagle, which represents courage and pioneering spirit; Daegu Council has had a relationship with Senshu District of Ōsaka Council, Scout Association of Japan since 1987 |
| Daejeon | 10,650 Scouts and 773 leaders | 1989 | Science Boy, Hankkumi, the symbol of Daejeon city as the City hosted Taejŏn Expo '93; Daejeon Council practices "Scouting for Community Service" by running a Scout troop in Daejeon juvenile reformatory |
| Gangwon | 11,161 Scouts and 1,131 leaders | 1958 | little bear, the mascot of Gangwon Province, which hosted the 17th World Scout Jamboree at Seoraksan |
| Gwangju | 9,334 Scouts and 712 leaders | 1987 | light spreading out to the world, as the nickname of Gwangju is the Village of Light |
| Gyeongbuk | 21,208 Scouts and 1,602 leaders | 1946 | Cheonseongdae, the Joseon-era astronomy laboratory |
| Gyeongnam | 15,981 Scouts and 1,650 leaders | 1946 | dinosaur caricature, as the most dinosaur footprints were found in this area; Gyeongnam Council has a youth training center which offers climbing, water activities, nature observation, and high adventure programs |
| Incheon | 19,652 Scouts and 1,112 leaders | 1923 | a rose, formerly a dolphin wearing a Scout neckerchief; Incheon Council has international relationships with the Scout Association of Japan, the Boy Scouts of America, the Scouts of China, The Scout Association and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines |
| Jeju | 4,251 Scouts and 803 leaders | 1946 | dol hareubang, the symbol of Jeju Island; Jeju Council has two campsites, and the 38th World Scout Conference was held in 2008 at the Jeju International Convention Center |
| Jeonbuk | 12,020 Scouts and 2,273 leaders | 1957 | sinmyeongi traditional Korean drum; Jeonbuk Council has the Songgwang Training Center, and its programs includes climbing, survival shooting game, orienteering, and high adventure programs, and has international relationships with the Sri Lanka Scout Association and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines |
| Jeonnam | 13,274 Scouts and 1,328 leaders | 1951 | Namdo and Nami, caricatures of a boy and a girl welcoming people with warm hugs; Jeonnam Council has the Suncheon Youth Hostel and Youth Training Center |
| North Gyeonggi | 19,608 Scouts and 2,770 leaders | 2001 | a bird called "keunaksae", which lives in north Gyeonnggi area, the environmental mascot character of the area, saluting, and barbed wire, alluding to the region's proximity to the Korean Demilitarized Zone |
| North Seoul | 29,511 Scouts and 2,947 leaders | 1948/1990 | a tiger called Wangbomi, the character of Seoul, similar to Hodori from the 1988 Summer Olympics held there; Seoul Council was established in 1948, and divided into South Seoul Council and North Seoul Council, which covers the northern area of Seoul south of the Han River, has an aquatic sports facility for canoeing, wind surfing, and rowboating, and has a relationship with Aichi Council, Scout Association of Japan |
| South Gyeonggi | 49,975 Scouts and 7,171 leaders | 1962 | the mascot of Gyeonggi Province |
| South Seoul | 32,278 Scouts and 2,863 leaders | 1948/1990 | symbol of Seoul City, which shows the mountain and river in Seoul with the Sun representing a bright future; Seoul Council was established in 1948, and divided into North Seoul Council and South Seoul Council, which covers the southern area of Seoul south of the Han River, and has a relationship with Ibaraki Council, Scout Association of Japan |
| Ulsan | 6,015 Scouts and 352 leaders | 1997 | a character called haeuli, a sea creature akin to a dolphin, doing a Scout bow with a pear flower |
| Wŏn Buddhism | | 2007 | a character called Wonmani, whose face shows the Chinese character for mind (心) |

## World and regional events hosted

* 17th World Scout Jamboree, 1991
* 17th Asia Pacific Jamboree, 1996
* Asia Pacific Regional Youth Forum, 1996
* 21st Asia-Pacific/10th Korea National Jamboree, 2000
* Asia-Pacific Workshop on Youth Programme, 2000
* International Patrol Jamboree, 2002
* Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on PR, ICT and Marketing, 2003
* 25th World Scout Jamboree, Saemangeum, 2023

## Scouting in North Korea

North Korea shared a common Scout history with South Korea until 1950, but at present is one of only four of the world's independent countries that do not have Scouting. North Korea instead created the Young Pioneer Corps under the Korean Children's Union.