KATHMANDU: South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun departed for Nepal on Saturday for a three-day official visit aimed at accelerating search-and-rescue operations for nine missing South Korean nationals following severe flooding and landslides.
Cho’s visit follows an August 26 disaster in Nepal’s Rasuwa District, near the Nepal-Tibet border, where massive landslides inundated a hydropower plant construction site.
Nine South Koreans—six employees from Doosan Enerbility Co. and three from Korea South-East Power Co.—remain unaccounted for. Disaster reports indicate over 1,300 casualties and nearly 6,000 missing nationwide.
During his visit through Monday, Foreign Minister Cho is scheduled to meet with Nepali Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal to request expanded search efforts, as well as discuss disaster recovery and bilateral aid strategies.
Cho will also meet with families of the missing workers, corporate response teams, and the deployed Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), which is currently operating alongside Nepali authorities using drones, search dogs, and rescue helicopters.
“Conditions in Nepal are very difficult,” Cho stated at Incheon International Airport prior to departure. “I will meet with the families of our workers who remain unaccounted for and discuss measures together… South Korea and Nepal are longtime friends and partners, and I plan to discuss how to rebuild the affected areas, as well as South Korea’s support and possible participation in reconstruction efforts.”
Following his meetings in Nepal, Foreign Minister Cho will travel directly to France to join President Lee Jae Myung on an official state visit.
