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Scenes of damage from landslides and floods that occurred in Nepal and China's Tibet Autonomous Region. / Yonhap

As casualties and missing persons mounted from massive floods and landslides across Nepal and China's Tibet Autonomous Region, religious communities also delivered messages of condolence and comfort.

The United Christian Churches of Korea (UCCK) stated in a pastoral letter issued on the 28th under the name of Representative President Kim Jung-seok and others, "We deeply mourn the victims who lost their lives and extend our heartfelt condolences to everyone who has lost family members and homes." The UCCK added, "Immediately after the disaster occurred, we spoke with local missionaries to assess the extent of the damage and discussed subsequent relief measures," noting, "We will make active efforts toward recovery in cooperation with missionaries and the Korean Association."

The Reverend Park Seung-ryul, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), also stated through a letter of condolence on the same day, "We express our condolences over the massive loss of life," adding, "We pray that rescue and recovery operations will be carried out as swiftly as possible, and that all missing persons, including South Korean nationals, will return safely to the arms of their loved ones."

The Association of Korean Buddhist Orders, comprising 28 member sects, issued a statement of condolence on the same day, saying, "We offer our heartfelt words of comfort to the bereaved families plunged into grief and to the people of Nepal."

The Association of Korean Buddhist Orders said, "Nepal, home to Lumbini—the birthplace of the Buddha—is a sacred site of Buddhism with special significance for Buddhists worldwide and a precious country that has maintained a long bond of friendship and exchange with the South Korean Buddhist community." The association added, "We sincerely pray that the affected regions and residents will be able to regain their peaceful daily lives as soon as possible," declaring, "With minds of compassion and solidarity, the South Korean Buddhist community will share in the sorrow and pain of the Nepali people."

Earlier, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the country's largest Buddhist sect, stated on the 27th in a message released under the name of Acting President of the Administrative Headquarters Venerable Jeongmun, "We convey our deep condolences and encouragement to Nepal, which is undergoing immense pain due to this sudden disaster," adding, "The pain of our neighbors is our own pain. We sincerely pray that you will overcome this hardship through the Buddha's compassion and wisdom." In parallel, the Jogye Order announced that it has begun fundraising for emergency relief through affiliated organizations—including its Social Welfare Foundation and the Beautiful Companion charity—while planning to identify and execute actions at the sect level to ensure effective emergency relief work.

The Catholic Church delivered a message of condolence in the name of Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of the Archdiocese of Seoul. Archbishop Chung said, "I extend my deepest condolences for the fear being endured by everyone who lost their peaceful daily life in a single moment and is struggling to protect family and home," adding, "I pray that those who lost their lives may enjoy eternal peace in the embrace of God, and that the missing will return safely to their families."

Archbishop Chung plans to send a letter of condolence to Father Silas Krishna Bogati, Apostolic Administrator of Nepal, to convey comfort to the affected areas and residents. In addition, the One Body One Spirit Movement of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul and the Babo Nanum Foundation are reviewing emergency relief assistance through Caritas Internationalis to support the affected regions.

Won-Buddhism also issued a statement of condolence under the name of Administration Chief Na Sang-ho, stating, "We pray for the repose of all who lost their lives in the disaster and extend condolences with the united hearts of all Won-Buddhist practitioners to the people of Nepal who have lost their families and livelihoods." It added, "We earnestly pray that all missing persons, including South Korean citizens, will return to their families as soon as possible, and we hope the dedication of rescue workers bears fruit in saving even one more life."

Meanwhile, after massive flooding struck the Himalayan mountain regions of Nepal near the Chinese border on the 26th, 165 bodies have been recovered as of this day, with around 800 people remaining missing, including nine South Koreans. In the neighboring Tibet Autonomous Region of China, approximately 500 people are also missing due to landslides.

                                                                                                         Hwang Ui-joong