Cho Hyun Says Korea South-East Power and Doosan Employees in Nepal Floods Still Unreachable; One More Added, Bringing Total to 9

[Financial News] Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said in an emergency briefing on the 26th that "eight South Korean nationals from Korea South-East Power and Doosan Enerbility, who were building a hydropower plant in Nepal, remain out of contact."
Shortly after Cho's briefing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs belatedly confirmed that one more Korean employee hired locally by Doosan had also lost contact. As a result, the number of South Korean nationals currently unreachable has risen to nine.
He added that "10 other South Korean nationals from Doosan Enerbility have evacuated locally with more than 200 foreign workers, including Nepali nationals, and are waiting for rescue, but they have been confirmed to be safe with our consul dispatched to the scene."
The embassy in Nepal said it immediately requested the rescue of the eight South Korean nationals as soon as it became aware of the incident, and that the Nepali government mobilized the army and police.
Cho said President Lee Jae-myung had instructed the government to make every effort to protect the lives and safety of South Korean nationals in connection with the situation. He also said the ministry would work closely with the Nepali government and local authorities, support the families of those still unreachable, and do everything possible to ensure the safety of nationals remaining at the site.
He explained that rescue efforts are expected to be difficult because foreign media reports say hundreds of people are missing in the disaster.
However, he said the government would work closely with relevant ministries and make every effort to quickly and safely search for the South Korean nationals.
The government plans to send a joint rapid response team for overseas Koreans, led by Im Sang-woo, to the site on the 27th to support the search and rescue operation. Cho also said he would speak with Nepal's foreign minister and request cooperation.


[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter