Yoon Suk, the leader of the second team of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), arrived in Nepal on September 12 to assist with the aftermath of devastating floods. He stated that he would coordinate closely with Nepalese authorities regarding the search and rescue operations for missing Koreans.
According to Yonhap News, Yoon arrived in Nepal separately from the second team members who had reached the country the previous day. Speaking to reporters, he expressed empathy for the families of the missing, saying, "The government is taking the heartbreaking feelings and wait of the families seriously." He added, "We will do our utmost to fulfill our mission through seamless shifts with the first team of KDRT."
Yoon elaborated that the second team's activities would include both search and rescue as well as recovery and reconstruction efforts. He emphasized the importance of maintaining close communication with Nepalese authorities and collaborating with the embassy, the joint government response team, and relief workers to carry out their assigned tasks.
Regarding additional search and rescue efforts, Yoon noted, "Coordination with Nepalese authorities is necessary," and stressed the need to listen to on-site reports and discuss plans in detail.
Currently, Nepalese authorities have shifted their focus from search and rescue to recovery and reconstruction. The second team has been significantly reduced in size, from 44 members in the first team to just 8 members.
However, President Lee Jae-myung has instructed officials to listen to the voices of the families of the missing and seek solutions, suggesting that search and rescue operations may continue alongside recovery efforts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that it plans to promote search and rescue activities within feasible limits through consultations with Nepalese military authorities, while also conducting preliminary investigations related to recovery and reconstruction in collaboration with the Nepalese government and international organizations. As of now, nine Koreans remain unaccounted for.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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