Tenth Day of Search for 9 Missing South Koreans in Nepal Floods; Government Reviews Rescue Status

As it marks the tenth day since nine South Koreans went missing due to massive floods in Nepal, the government has held a joint inspection meeting on the progress of search and rescue operations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it held a joint headquarters-field situation assessment meeting via video link last night (the 3rd), chaired by 2nd Vice Minister Kim Jin-ah, with the South Korean Embassy in Nepal, the government's joint rapid response team, the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), and the National Police Agency.

Vice Minister Kim Jin-ah stated, "It is deeply regrettable that we have yet to deliver the news our citizens are waiting for, as nine South Koreans have been out of contact for nine days due to the flood damage in Nepal," urging them to "actively carry out humanitarian relief activities while doing our utmost to search for and rescue our citizens."

Kim instructed attendees to maintain close communication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy in Nepal, the rapid response team, the KDRT, relevant ministries, and the corporate field response team, while also cooperating with the Nepalese government to effectively conduct search and rescue operations.

She also asked them to pay special attention to the safety of search and rescue personnel, taking into account the rugged terrain, rapidly changing weather conditions, and unstable ground at the accident site.

Furthermore, she emphasized maintaining constant communication with the families of the missing persons to promptly and thoroughly explain the search situation, actively listen to their requests, and provide necessary support.

The KDRT, the Embassy in Nepal, and the rapid response team stated that they are promptly sharing helicopter, drone, and overland search statuses with the families, and that they will do their utmost for effective search and rescue operations and family support.

On the afternoon of the 3rd local time, the KDRT boarded a Nepalese military helicopter for an aerial search, but had to turn back after 30 minutes due to worsening weather conditions in the expected missing persons area.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.