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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 27th that nine out of 10 South Koreans stranded by flooding in the Rasuwa district of Nepal have been moved to safe zones.

According to the ministry, as of that day, nine South Koreans were reported missing, and one stranded individual was awaiting rescue. While 10 South Koreans were initially stranded, nine were transported to a safe area via a Nepalese military helicopter. "Three people remain on site, including a site manager from Doosan Enerbility and two embassy officials," the ministry stated, adding, "The site manager chose to stay behind to wait until the Nepalese employees are rescued."

The nine individuals who lost contact are presumed to have been inside local staff quarters when the area was directly hit by the floodwaters. The 10 stranded individuals were inside a powerhouse located away from the river, thereby avoiding direct damage. The ministry explained that they were able to hold out until rescue because the facility was stocked with sufficient food supplies. Rescue efforts for them reportedly faced severe difficulties as land access was cut off due to washed-out roads, and Nepalese authorities lacked sufficient rescue equipment, including helicopters.

Dispatched as an advance team for on-site response, the rapid response team plans to lay the groundwork for search and rescue operations by receiving updates on South Korean nationals and disaster conditions from the South Korean Embassy in Nepal, while requesting cooperation from the Nepalese government, police, and relevant authorities. After firefighting experts in the rapid response team assess conditions on the ground, decisions will be made regarding the size of additional personnel, detection equipment, and the scope and role of local search and rescue operations. Team Leader Lim also contacted senior Nepalese officials to request their utmost cooperation in the search and rescue of South Korean nationals.

The South Korean government also activated ministerial-level diplomatic channels. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone call that day with Nepalese Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal to explain the situation regarding South Korean nationals and requested the proactive deployment of resources necessary for search and rescue. In addition, Minister Cho announced that South Korea will provide 1 million dollars in humanitarian aid through international organizations operating locally to support the Nepalese government's prompt response and early recovery efforts.

President Lee Jae-myung also presided over an emergency meeting that day, instructing officials to respond attentively so that families suffer no inconvenience or lack of support, designating dedicated officers to assist families of the missing and stranded and public relations officers to provide continuous updates on search and rescue progress.

The government is also closely monitoring the potential for additional casualties among other South Koreans staying in the country. Approximately 23,000 South Koreans visit Nepal annually for tourism, and no additional reports of missing travelers have been filed so far. The foreign ministry continues to check the situation to prepare for the possibility of any unidentified victims.

The foreign ministry stated that it is frequently sharing updates on local conditions with the families of the missing and stranded while closely cooperating with their employers in addressing the situation.

                                                                                                           Mok Yong-jae