Nepali, S Korean foreign ministers discuss flood response, climate cooperation

KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyeon held talks on Sunday on bilateral relations and search, rescue and relief efforts following the recent Bhotekoshi flood.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers discussed ongoing efforts to locate and rescue South Korean nationals who remain missing after the flood, according to the ministry.

Khanal thanked the South Korean government for deploying an inter-agency rapid response team and a disaster relief team to assist Nepal’s search and rescue operations. He also expressed gratitude for Korea’s humanitarian assistance and relief supplies for flood-affected communities.

He said Nepal had given high priority to post-disaster reconstruction and would undertake rebuilding efforts under the 'build back better' concept. He expressed confidence that South Korea would continue supporting Nepal in this work.

Minister Cho conveyed his government’s willingness to provide necessary assistance for Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction and resettlement programmes, the ministry said.

Highlighting the loss of lives and property and the damage to infrastructure caused by climate change in countries such as Nepal, Cho said the international community had a historical responsibility to respond. He called for cooperation between Nepal and South Korea to increase global awareness of climate-related impacts and losses.

Cho said countries facing climate-related challenges and damage should jointly raise their concerns at international forums, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP.

He also pledged that South Korea would raise the issue of international financial assistance for Nepal to address losses caused by climate change.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation and to further strengthen bilateral ties through friendship, mutual trust and partnership.

Nepal and South Korea cooperate in several sectors, including labour, development partnership, trade, investment, technology and people-to-people relations.

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