Jo Hyun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced on August 26 that the safety of ten South Koreans isolated by floods in Nepal has been confirmed.
Minister Jo chaired a meeting of the Overseas Citizens Protection Headquarters at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul that evening, attended by officials from the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
In her opening remarks, Jo stated, "Eight South Koreans from Korea Southeast Power and Doosan Enerbility are currently uncontactable. However, ten other South Koreans from Doosan Enerbility, along with about 200 foreign employees, are safe and waiting for rescue after evacuating locally, as confirmed by our dispatched consular staff."
Later, it was confirmed that an additional South Korean employee hired by Doosan Enerbility is also uncontactable, raising the total number of missing South Koreans to nine.
President Lee Jae-myung issued an urgent directive on the same day, stating, "Mobilize all available resources to search for and rescue the missing individuals. The lives and safety of our citizens must be the top priority."
He also urged close cooperation with the Nepalese government and local authorities, emphasizing the need to support the families of the missing and ensure the safety of South Koreans currently in the area, while also working to prevent further casualties.
According to reports from AP and AFP on August 26, Nepalese police recovered 157 bodies during their search operations that day.
The Nepalese Ministry of Tourism reported that 403 tourists are currently missing, including 341 foreigners, and 28 police officers are also uncontactable. Chinese authorities have reported 265 missing individuals as well.
Minister Jo noted, "There are reports from foreign media indicating that hundreds are missing due to this incident, which may complicate rescue efforts. However, the Foreign Ministry headquarters and our embassy in Nepal will work closely with relevant agencies to ensure the swift and safe search and rescue of our citizens."
The government plans to dispatch a rapid response team, led by Im Sang-woo, the Foreign Ministry's representative for overseas citizens protection and consular affairs, on August 27 to assist in the search and rescue of South Koreans. The team will consist of personnel from the Foreign Ministry, Fire Agency, and National Police Agency.
The response team is scheduled to depart from Incheon in the afternoon of August 27 and arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal, that evening.
Minister Jo expressed hope that the South Korean embassy in Nepal will ensure the safety of the isolated South Koreans until the response team arrives, stating, "I will also contact the Nepalese Foreign Minister on August 27 to request cooperation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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