The South Korean government is intensifying efforts to locate and ensure the safety of its citizens affected by the recent floods in Nepal. President Lee Jae-myung, recognizing the severity of the situation, postponed a scheduled meeting with senior advisors and a luncheon with members of the Democratic Party to directly assess the response efforts.
On the afternoon of August 27, the Blue House replaced the planned presidential meeting with an emergency session focused on the situation of South Korean citizens impacted by the floods in Nepal. To concentrate national resources on ensuring citizen safety, a luncheon with Democratic Party lawmakers scheduled for August 28 was also delayed.
During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, President Lee stated, "The safety and lives of our citizens are in a very critical situation," and instructed officials to mobilize all available resources with the resolve that there is no such thing as overreacting when it comes to protecting lives and safety.
He explained that the whereabouts of citizens working at a local hydropower construction site remain unconfirmed, while others are isolated in temporary shelters.
The government reviewed the response efforts of relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the National Police Agency, and the National Fire Agency, during the emergency meeting. The National Security Office and the South Korean Embassy in Nepal also participated, reporting on local search conditions and the rescue activities of Nepalese authorities.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government has decided to focus search and rescue efforts on personnel and resources from South Korean companies involved in the hydropower project, as well as the rapid response team currently en route to the area.
President Lee urged, "Please actively coordinate with the Nepalese government through all diplomatic channels to ensure that necessary resources for search and rescue are deployed." The government is also reviewing support measures, including rescue personnel and equipment that can be provided to Nepal. Additionally, it plans to establish humanitarian assistance measures to convey condolences for the loss of life and property in Nepal and to aid in recovery efforts.
The rapid response team consists of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Fire Agency, and the National Police Agency. Im Sang-woo, the government representative in charge of protecting overseas citizens and consular affairs, will lead the team in coordinating search and rescue operations with Nepalese authorities and supporting on-site responses.
Immediately after the incident, the South Korean Embassy in Nepal requested active search efforts from the Nepalese government and dispatched a consular officer to the affected area. Citizens isolated in temporary shelters are staying with the consular officer, and the government is coordinating rescue plans while confirming their safety status.
The affected areas are experiencing difficulties in access and confirming the whereabouts of individuals due to damaged roads and bridges, as well as unstable communications. The government is working to verify whether there are additional citizens affected beyond those currently identified and will implement safety checks and protective measures for citizens staying in nearby areas.
President Lee emphasized the need to support the families of victims, stating, "The families are also in a very distressing situation," and requested that updates on the progress of search and rescue operations be communicated accurately while being attentive to the feelings and circumstances of the families.
Lawmakers have also pledged bipartisan cooperation. Members of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly, urging the government and relevant agencies to work closely with Nepalese authorities to deploy all available resources for search and rescue efforts.
They stated, "The South Koreans who have lost contact due to this flood are individuals who dedicated themselves to infrastructure development in Nepal and are now facing a crisis," emphasizing the need to mobilize all available capabilities and resources in close cooperation with the South Korean Embassy in Nepal and the Nepalese authorities to locate and rescue our citizens.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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