South Korean rescue team departs for Nepal following devastating floods

A South Korean government joint rapid response team has departed for Nepal to assist in the search and rescue of nine South Korean nationals missing in the wake of devastating floods and landslides.

The team, comprising specialists from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police Agency, and the National Fire Agency, left Incheon International Airport on August 27. They are expected to arrive in Nepal later that day, traveling via Hong Kong. The deployment comes after severe floods and flash floods occurred in areas bordering China's Tibet Autonomous Region and Nepal, leading to the disappearance of the nine South Koreans.

Im Sang-woo, the head of the government joint rapid response team, stated prior to departure, "We will do our best to ensure swift and safe search and rescue operations for our citizens in Nepal." Upon arrival, the team is scheduled to immediately engage with Nepalese authorities to commence the search for the missing individuals.

Among the missing are personnel from Korea South-East Power (KOSEP) and Doosan Enerbility, who were involved in a hydroelectric power plant construction project in the affected region. This includes Jeong Yeon-in, a vice president at Doosan Enerbility, and Yoon Jang-hyun, head of KOSEP's New Growth Division, who also departed for Nepal on the same day.

The floods were reportedly triggered by a massive landslide in the Tibet Autonomous Region, causing a glacial lake to burst and leading to catastrophic flash floods. Local reports indicate at least 160 deaths, with the situation remaining critical as rescue operations continue.