South Korea to send more rescue teams to Nepal flood-hit areas

South Korea is mobilizing resources to aid in the rescue efforts following devastating floods and landslides in Nepal, which have resulted in nine South Korean nationals missing and ten others stranded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on June 27 that a rapid response team has been dispatched, and discussions are ongoing with the Nepalese government regarding the potential deployment of dozens more rescue personnel.

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First, after the rapid response team assesses the situation, we can dispatch additional rescue teams in consultation with the Nepalese government. If we send them, it will be on the scale of dozens.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that the dispatched rapid response team will assess the situation on the ground. Based on their findings and in consultation with Nepalese authorities, additional rescue teams, potentially numbering in the dozens, could be sent. Minister Cho spoke with his Nepalese counterpart, Shishir Khanal, to request cooperation for the swift rescue of the South Korean nationals.

The scale of the disaster is immense, with the floods triggered by a glacial lake outburst overwhelming the region. Minister Cho noted that the missing and stranded individuals were in different areas, separated by elevation. Those working at a higher elevation on a dam construction site were isolated, while others in lower-lying areas lost contact. The force of the water was so extreme that a dam under construction by a Korean company was completely washed away.

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The isolated and missing individuals were in slightly different areas. There was a difference in elevation between the high ground and the low ground.

Currently, ten South Koreans, along with about 200 local and foreign workers, have evacuated and are awaiting rescue. They are reported to be in a safe condition, accompanied by a dispatched South Korean consul. The government's immediate focus is on the search and rescue operations for the nine missing individuals. Concerns are also rising about potential harm to other South Korean tourists, as the affected region in the Himalayas is a popular destination. The South Korean Embassy in Nepal, operating with a charge d'affaires and limited staff, is facing challenges in responding to such a large-scale crisis.

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The dam we had built has been completely washed away.