"We Couldn’t Even Launch a Search Drone"... Nine Korean Workers Missing in Nepal for Six Days

[Financial News] The case of nine Korean workers who went missing in Nepal’s mountainous region after a glacial flood is showing signs of becoming prolonged. It has been six days since their disappearance, but rescue efforts are struggling as bad weather and local restrictions have prevented even search drones from being properly deployed.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 31st, the Government Rapid Response Team dispatched by the government launched its first rescue helicopter on the 29th, but it turned out that no actual search of the missing area was carried out.
This was disclosed belatedly, a day after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent up the first rescue helicopter. The families of the missing have been demanding that the ministry release helicopter search records and related materials.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the search could not proceed because of worsening weather and the rugged terrain in the accident area. The Government Rapid Response Team and the company team airlifted drones capable of operating in the rough terrain to Nepal, but even drone searches had not been carried out as of the previous day.
The Government Rapid Response Team had kept rescue helicopters on standby since the 28th, but over five days they were able to take off only once. Two helicopters, including one chartered by the Government Rapid Response Team and another chartered by Doosan Enerbility, had also been scheduled to operate the previous day, but the plan was not carried out. It was reported that the Nepali Army did not grant flight permission, citing air traffic congestion and safety concerns.
This has also raised concerns that there may be communication problems between the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal and the Nepalese government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointed a new ambassador to Nepal after the disaster, filling a vacancy. However, because the ambassador was sent in immediately without time to build a close communication system with Nepalese authorities or adjust to the field, difficulties in bilateral communication are expected.
The families of the missing say the so-called "golden time" for survival has already passed, and they are urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to quickly carry out additional helicopter searches. Even on the 30th, the Government Rapid Response Team’s second helicopter search failed, leaving the families distraught and anxious. The team has decided to begin a ground search belatedly. It is reported that after entering the accident site by land, it plans to use search drones.
The National Assembly will also begin reviewing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response to the Nepal incident. The Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee is scheduled to visit the ministry in person on the 31st to receive an emergency briefing. Committee members are expected to hear from the vice foreign minister and others, and to press them on why the helicopter search in the field was delayed.

[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter