Kathmandu, September 6
South Korea has pledged to support Nepal in its post-flood reconstruction efforts following the Bhotekoshi disaster. Korea expressed this commitment during talks between Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, held Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singha Durbar.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers held detailed discussions on the ongoing search, rescue, and relief operations following the devastating flood that struck the Bhotekoshi River on August 26, as well as on the search for missing Korean nationals.
The ministry said Minister Khanal thanked the South Korean government for deploying a Korean disaster relief team and an inter-agency rapid response team to the flood-affected areas.
Praising the humanitarian assistance and supply of relief materials, Minister Khanal said building disaster-resilient, sustainable, and strong infrastructure in the days ahead is a top priority for the Nepal government, and expressed hope for continued support from Korea toward this goal.
In response, Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the Korean government stands fully ready to help Nepal with post-disaster reconstruction.
Pointing out that the international community bears historic responsibility for the damage suffered by countries like Nepal due to climate change, he stressed that Nepal and Korea should join hands to raise awareness on this issue at global forums such as COP.
He also pledged that South Korea would add its voice in support of the international financial assistance Nepal should receive from the global community.
At the end of the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work closely to further strengthen and elevate the long-standing friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation-based bilateral relationship to new heights.
Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is in Nepal on a three-day visit.
