President Lee mobilizes all resources for Nepal flood rescue

President Lee Jae-myung has directed a full-scale mobilization of national resources to address the crisis in Nepal, where nine South Korean nationals are missing following a flash flood. The directive came during an emergency meeting convened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul.

The missing individuals are employees of Korea South-East Power and Doosan Enerbility, working on a hydropower plant project in the Rasuwa region of Nepal. The flash flood, which occurred on August 26th local time, caused significant damage, with reports indicating that buildings, including offices and accommodations, were washed away.

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There is no such thing as an excessive response when it comes to protecting the lives and safety of our citizens. Please mobilize all available resources and do your best.

While ten South Koreans were initially isolated, nine of them were safely evacuated by a Nepal Army helicopter to a secure area. However, nine others remain unaccounted for. Rescue operations are being hampered by the rugged mountainous terrain and the onset of darkness, making night searches impossible.

In response, the South Korean government has dispatched a joint rapid response team comprising members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Fire Agency, and the National Police Agency. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that further rescue teams, potentially numbering in the dozens, could be sent after the initial team assesses the situation and consults with Nepalese authorities. The government has also pledged $1 million in humanitarian aid to Nepal.

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The rapid response team can assess the situation and, in consultation with the Nepalese government, potentially dispatch additional rescue teams. If sent, it would be on the scale of several dozen people.