South Korea Seeks Nepal’s Help in Search for Nine Missing Citizens

South Korea’s foreign minister has asked Nepal to give special attention to the search for nine South Korean citizens still missing after floods in the country.

Cho Hyun made the request during talks with Nepalese Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal in Kathmandu on the 6th. Cho expressed deep condolences to everyone affected by the floods and said he remained deeply concerned that contact with the nine South Koreans had been lost. He called for thorough search operations with strong support from the Nepalese government.

The ministers discussed ongoing searches and rescue efforts, Nepal’s disaster recovery work and assistance from the South Korean government. Cho said South Korea had sent its Korea Disaster Relief Team with the search, rescue and forensic equipment requested by Nepal. The team is conducting operations in cooperation with Nepalese authorities.

Cho also said South Korea planned to provide in-kind assistance worth 130 million won and $1 million in humanitarian aid through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Khanal expressed appreciation for the support.

The South Korean relief team rescued a Chinese survivor the previous day from a power plant tunnel under construction by South Koreans, 10 days after flooding struck. On the 6th, the team searched tunnels near the Weir Dam and the powerhouse, where the missing South Koreans are believed to be. It also donated 262 body-recovery bags to a Nepalese Army unit in the Batar area at the Nepalese authorities’ request.

Cho is visiting Nepal from the 5th to the 7th to encourage the search and rescue of South Koreans and support the relief team. The two countries agreed to remain in close communication to facilitate rescue operations and help Nepalese citizens return to normal life, while strengthening cooperation on climate change in international forums.