KATHMANDU – Nepal and South Korea have discussed ongoing efforts to locate South Korean nationals missing after the devastating Bhotekoshi River flood and cooperation in post-disaster recovery and climate change.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun in Kathmandu on Sunday. The two ministers reviewed search, rescue and relief operations following the August 26 disaster.
Khanal thanked South Korea for deploying an inter-agency rapid response team and disaster relief team, as well as providing humanitarian assistance and relief supplies. He said Nepal had made post-disaster reconstruction a priority and would follow a “build back better” approach to develop safer and more resilient infrastructure.
Cho said South Korea was ready to support Nepal’s reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. He also called for greater international attention to the impact of climate change on vulnerable countries such as Nepal and pledged South Korea’s support for Nepal’s efforts to secure international climate finance for loss and damage.
The ministers also agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in labour, development, trade, investment, technology and people-to-people relations, reaffirming the longstanding friendship and mutual trust between Nepal and South Korea.