The Ministry of National Defense said in a statement late Thursday that it was discussing details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for deploying the KC-330 to transport rescue personnel, relief equipment and supplies to Nepal.
The KC-330, operated by the Air Force and converted from an Airbus A330-200 passenger jet, can carry more than 300 people and up to 47 tons of cargo on a single flight. Primarily used for aerial refueling, it has also been deployed on missions to evacuate South Korean nationals from overseas crises and provide relief following major disasters.
In March this year, the KC-330 was deployed to evacuate more than 200 South Koreans stranded in the Middle East amid a regional conflict. In February 2023, the aircraft was also used to transport about 110 South Korean rescue workers and equipment to Türkiye following a devastating earthquake.
Nine South Koreans working at a hydropower plant construction site in northern Nepal remain unaccounted for after the disaster struck the area earlier this week. The missing workers include six employees of Doosan Enerbility and three employees of Korea South-East Power (KOEN).
Meanwhile, all 10 stranded Doosan Enerbility workers were evacuated to a safe area by a Nepalese military helicopter, except for its site manager, who chose to remain behind to ensure the safety of about 16 Nepalese workers under his supervision.
The Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower plant, where they were working, also suffered extensive damage. The 216-megawatt plant was being built on the Trishuli River about 70 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu and was scheduled for completion by the end of this year, but parts of the plant and other facilities were reportedly swept away by the flooding.
Wednesday's catastrophic disaster has affected people from around the world, with Nepalese authorities estimating that more than 350 people have died and about 900 remain missing including 517 foreign nationals from 33 countries. Among the missing are 73 people involved in hydropower projects along the Trishuli River.
The affected area is also near routes used by pilgrims traveling to the Hindu holy site of Mount Kailash and by mountain climbers, with some feared to be among the casualties.
Countries around the world are working to find and rescue their citizens in Nepal. India says at least 288 of its citizens are missing, while China has reported nearly 100 missing. Other countries including Australia, Britain, Malaysia, Ukraine and the U.S. are also working to locate and assist their nationals there.
AJP Takeaways
• South Korea will dispatch a KC-330 Cygnus multipurpose aerial refueling aircraft to Nepal to support search and rescue operations following devastating floods and landslides, with the aircraft expected to transport rescue personnel, relief equipment and supplies.
• Nine South Korean workers remain unaccounted for in Nepal, including six employees of Doosan Enerbility and three employees of Korea South-East Power, after floods and landslides hit the Rasuwa area on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026.
• Nepalese authorities estimate about 900 people are missing including 517 foreign nationals from 33 countries, while governments including India, China, Australia, Britain, Malaysia, Ukraine and the U.S. are conducting efforts to locate and assist their citizens.
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