Cho Hyun Holds Emergency Call with Nepali Foreign Minister: Requests Swift Rescue of Korean Nationals, Pledges $1 Million Aid

On the 27th, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke with the Nepali Foreign Minister regarding nine Korean nationals who have gone missing following the massive floods in Nepal, and requested active support for swift search and rescue operations. The government has decided to provide humanitarian assistance worth 1 million dollars to Nepal and is also reviewing and pursuing the possible dispatch of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT).

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is presiding over a meeting of the Overseas Citizens Protection Headquarters regarding missing Korean nationals in the Nepal floods at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Cho had a phone call with Nepali Foreign Minister Shisir Kanal in the afternoon to discuss the damage caused by the floods that struck Nepal the previous day, as well as the search and rescue of Korean nationals.

Minister Cho explained that nine Korean nationals had lost contact and that ten others had evacuated and were waiting to be rescued. He requested the Nepali government's special attention and support to ensure a swift and safe search and rescue. Minister Kanal explained the scale of the flood damage and the ongoing response in the Rasuwa region.

Minister Cho expressed deep condolences to the Nepali victims and their families, and announced that, in order to support the Nepali government’s prompt response and early recovery, Korea would provide humanitarian aid worth 1 million dollars through international organizations operating locally.

Minister Cho explained that, during the emergency meeting presided over by President Lee Jaemyung that day, it was decided that every available means would be mobilized to make every effort in the search and rescue of the missing nationals. He added, "We will also consider and pursue the swift dispatch of the Korea Disaster Relief Team."

Earlier that day, the government had sent a joint rapid response team to Nepal to assist in the search and rescue of Korean nationals. Speaking to reporters, Minister Cho described this team as an "advance team," and noted that if additional rescue teams were dispatched, it would involve "dozens more personnel."

The two ministers agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation between the two governments regarding flood response and the search and rescue of Korean nationals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.