Nepal Requests Special Search Equipment from South Korea; Foreign Ministers Hold Second Call
- Input
- 2026-08-31 17:55:13
- Updated
- 2026-08-31 17:55:13

On the 31st, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Nepalese government had requested support in the form of personnel and equipment for search and rescue operations. The ministry had previously said that Nepal had not asked for assistance from overseas rescue teams. However, Nepal appears to have changed its position.
The ministry said it is reviewing support measures based on Nepal's request. In the call, Cho and the Nepalese foreign minister discussed the current search and rescue efforts for the nine missing South Koreans. The conversation was the second between the two sides, following their first call on the 27th.
Cho expressed gratitude that the Nepalese government had safely rescued 10 South Korean nationals who had been stranded in the disaster area. He also asked for Nepal's special cooperation so that the search and rescue of the nine South Koreans still out of contact could be carried out as quickly as possible. In particular, he urged support from the Nepalese military so that intensive search operations could focus on the area where the missing are believed to have lost contact.
He also said he hoped search operations would proceed smoothly through close cooperation between the government joint rapid response team deployed on site and the Nepalese side. Cho added that the South Korean government is reviewing support measures centered on the areas Nepal needs.
A government joint rapid response team dispatched to search for nine South Koreans who lost contact after Nepal's massive flooding is beginning an overland search after struggling with helicopter operations. Team members are entering the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kathmandu on the 31st local time.

A government joint rapid response team dispatched to search for nine South Koreans who lost contact after Nepal's massive flooding is beginning an overland search after struggling with helicopter operations. Team members are entering the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kathmandu on the 31st local time.
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