(3rd LD) FM Cho arrives in Nepal for ministerial talks on massive flood response

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun landed in Nepal on Saturday, marking the start of a three-day visit aimed at coordinating the search-and-rescue operations following catastrophic floods. Cho is scheduled to meet with Nepal's foreign minister, Shisir Khanal, discussing Seoul's assistance for the rescue efforts and their shared objectives in reconstruction.

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Cho outlined his intentions to engage with Nepal's government officials, with a focus on humanitarian support for the families of the missing South Koreans. Nine South Koreans, comprising six employees from Doosan Enerbility Co. and three from Korea South-East Power Co., went missing on August 26 while working at a hydropower plant construction site near the Nepal-Tibet border during the devastating floods and landslides.

Cho pledged to expedite search efforts to locate the missing nationals, promising to intensify the rescue mission to ensure their safe recovery. Additionally, he plans to support the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) operating at the disaster site, collaborating with Nepalese authorities and corporate teams using helicopters, drones, search dogs, and other resources to recover the missing individuals.

Cho's visit extends beyond Nepal as he is set to travel to France following his official trip, accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on a state visit. As of Wednesday, the flood disaster had claimed over 1,200 lives and left nearly 6,000 people missing, as reported by international media outlets.