Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal meets South Korean counterpart, discusses flood response

Kathmandu: Foreign Affairs Minister Shishir Khanal and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun have agreed to strengthen cooperation in Nepal’s response to the Bhotekoshi flood disaster.

The two ministers held talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu today, focusing on search, rescue and relief efforts following the devastating floods.

Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal thanked the South Korean government for sending a rapid response team and the Korea Disaster Relief Team to assist in search and rescue operations, particularly for missing South Korean nationals.

He also expressed gratitude for South Korea’s humanitarian and relief assistance to flood victims.

Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal said Nepal was giving high priority to post-disaster reconstruction and would adopt the “Build Back Better” approach to develop safer and more resilient infrastructure.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expressed his government’s readiness to support Nepal’s reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

He said the international community has a responsibility to address the losses suffered by countries like Nepal due to climate change.

Minister Cho also called for Nepal and South Korea to work together to raise climate-related concerns at international forums, including COP31.

He pledged South Korea’s support for Nepal’s call for international financial assistance to address losses and damage caused by climate change.