South Korea FM Cho Hyun flies to Nepal for flood talks, 9 nationals missing
Synopsis
Nine South Korean workers — from Doosan Enerbility and Korea South-East Power — have been missing since 26 August after catastrophic floods hit Nepal's Rasuwa District. Now Seoul's top diplomat is flying in personally to press Kathmandu for faster search operations, with a disaster relief team already on the ground using drones, helicopters, and search dogs.
Key Takeaways
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun departs for Nepal on Saturday, 7 September for a three-day visit through Monday.
Nine South Korean nationals — 6 from Doosan Enerbility and 3 from Korea South-East Power Co. — have been missing since 26 August after floods in Rasuwa District .
Cho will hold talks with Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and meet families of the missing workers.
The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) is on-site using helicopters, drones, and search dogs .
Nepal floods have killed more than 1,200 people , with nearly 6,000 still missing as of Wednesday.
After Nepal, Cho will travel to France to join President Lee Jae Myung for a state visit.
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to depart for Nepal on Saturday, 7 September for a three-day visit aimed at pressing for intensified search efforts for nine missing South Korean nationals and discussing bilateral support for flood-hit areas. The visit follows devastating floods and landslides that struck Rasuwa District near the Nepal-Tibet border on 26 August, leaving the workers unaccounted for at a hydropower plant construction site.
The Missing Nationals
The nine missing individuals comprise six employees of Doosan Enerbility Co. and three from Korea South-East Power Co., who were engaged in construction work at the hydropower facility when the disaster struck. Broader figures from the floods are stark: more than 1,200 people have been killed and nearly 6,000 remain missing as of Wednesday, according to foreign media reports.
What Cho Plans to Discuss
During his stay through Monday, Cho is expected to hold formal talks with Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, according to the South Korean foreign ministry. He will urge Kathmandu to facilitate and intensify the search operation for the missing South Koreans. The two sides are also expected to discuss broader recovery support measures for affected areas and other issues of mutual concern.
Korea Disaster Relief Team on the Ground
The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), dispatched by the South Korean government, is already operating at the disaster site alongside Nepalese authorities and corporate response teams. The KDRT is deploying helicopters, drones, search dogs, and other specialised equipment in the search operations. Cho plans to visit the team on the ground and separately meet with officials from the two companies conducting their own parallel search efforts.
Meetings With Families and Next Steps
The minister also intends to meet with the families of the missing South Koreans during the visit — a gesture underscoring the diplomatic weight Seoul is placing on the case. After concluding his Nepal engagements, Cho is expected to travel directly to France to accompany President Lee Jae Myung on a scheduled state visit. The back-to-back itinerary reflects the dual pressures of an active humanitarian crisis and standing diplomatic commitments.
Point of View
Suggesting Seoul is treating the Nepal crisis as urgent enough to warrant a diplomatic detour but not so destabilising as to derail its broader foreign policy calendar. The real question is whether Nepal's search infrastructure, already overwhelmed by over 6,000 of its own missing citizens, can meaningfully accelerate efforts for nine foreigners — however diplomatically important they may be.
NationPress
5 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is South Korea's Foreign Minister visiting Nepal?
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is visiting Nepal from 7 to 9 September to push for intensified search-and-rescue efforts for nine missing South Korean nationals and to discuss bilateral support for flood-affected areas. The workers went missing on 26 August after floods and landslides hit the Rasuwa District near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Who are the nine missing South Korean nationals in Nepal?
The nine missing individuals are six employees of Doosan Enerbility Co. and three from Korea South-East Power Co. They were working at a hydropower plant construction site in Nepal's Rasuwa District when massive floods and landslides struck on 26 August.
What is the Korea Disaster Relief Team doing in Nepal?
The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), dispatched by the South Korean government, is conducting search-and-rescue operations alongside Nepalese authorities using helicopters, drones, search dogs, and other specialised equipment at the disaster site.
How severe are the Nepal floods overall?
According to foreign media reports, the Nepal floods have killed more than 1,200 people and left nearly 6,000 missing as of Wednesday. The Rasuwa District near the Nepal-Tibet border was among the worst-hit areas.
What happens after Cho Hyun's Nepal visit?
After completing his three-day Nepal visit, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is expected to travel directly to France to accompany President Lee Jae Myung on a scheduled state visit, according to officials.
