Nepal authorities: “24 South Koreans arrested and under investigation on suspicion of conducting religious activities on tourist visas”

【NEW DELHI, India — Correspondent Pragya Awasathi】Nepalese authorities arrested 24 South Koreans who entered the country on tourist visas on suspicion of engaging as a group in religious education, training and promotional activities. The group was transferred to the capital, Kathmandu, for further investigation, and authorities are reportedly reviewing whether they violated visa rules and could be deported. The group is said to be the Ratna Baptist Foundation.
According to local media and other sources on the 12th, the South Koreans were arrested in Sundar Haraicha Municipality in Morang district, near the India-Nepal border. Morang district authorities said the 24 South Koreans entered Biratnagar via Kathmandu on October 6 and 7 to attend a program hosted by Nepal’s New Covenant College. They had originally planned to stay in Morang district until October 12.
A Morang district official reportedly said authorities learned that religious education, training and a graduation ceremony were taking place at the educational institution in Ward 7 of Sundar Haraicha. Local administrative authorities and security agencies then stepped up surveillance of the facility and later arrested the group after determining that some activities might not comply with the conditions for stays permitted on tourist visas. Dr. Park Gwi-hwan, head of Love Nepal Mission, was reportedly among those arrested. The group is said to operate through a trust called the Ratna Baptist Foundation.
The educational institution is reportedly known to offer a range of religious education programs, from certificate courses to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. It has at least 300 students and reportedly provides housing and religious education to about 45 students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It is also said to receive financial support from Love Nepal Mission in South Korea. Separately, the allegations against the arrested South Koreans remain under investigation.
The case has also drawn attention amid suspicions of possible links to areas along the Indian border. A senior Nepal police official in charge of criminal investigations reportedly suggested that contacts and related activities in neighboring Indian border areas could also be investigated.
According to the allegations, a local individual may have been involved in bringing Dalit communities (historically marginalized groups in India’s caste system) and economically vulnerable residents living in Indian border areas to Nepal. However, specific links to the Indian border areas and the existence of a broader network have not yet been independently confirmed. Nepalese authorities have also not announced a final conclusion on whether the individuals or groups concerned were involved, and the facts are expected to emerge as the investigation proceeds.
Morang district authorities said they transferred the 24 South Koreans to the Kathmandu immigration office on Saturday in accordance with guidelines. The immigration office will review whether they violated the conditions of their tourist visas and decide on further action, including deportation, under relevant laws. The investigation is expected to focus on what activities actually took place at the educational institution and whether they were permitted under tourist visas.
Authorities are also investigating whether there are additional people connected to the case beyond those arrested. They have not officially established any links extending beyond the 24 people arrested so far and the educational institution. Any further action will depend on the immigration office’s review and the results of the ongoing investigation.
[email protected] Correspondent Pragya Awasathi Reporter