Who is leading Korea's second disaster relief contingent to Nepal, and what is its mission?

Yoon Chu-sok, deputy chief of mission at the Korean Embassy in Washington, is leading the eight-member second contingent. The team will consult with Nepal on resuming search and rescue work and on planning for reconstruction and recovery.

When did the nine Koreans go missing in Nepal, and where did it happen?

The nine Koreans went missing on Aug. 26 after massive floods and landslides hit Rasuwa District near the Nepal-Tibet border. They were working at a hydropower plant construction site when the disaster struck.

Which Korean companies had employees among the missing in Nepal?

The missing included six employees of Doosan Enerbility Co. and three employees of Korea South-East Power Co. The group was working at a hydropower plant construction site in Rasuwa District.

Korea to consult with Nepal on resumption of search, rescue efforts: Seoul official

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Summary

Korea will consult with Nepal on resuming search and rescue operations in Kathmandu, a Seoul official said Saturday. Yoon Chu-sok said the government recognizes the anguish of families of the missing and will work through a seamless transition from the first contingent. The second KDRT contingent will also consult Nepalese authorities and international organizations on reconstruction and recovery planning.

Key Facts

Yoon Chu-sok arrived in Kathmandu earlier in the day to lead the second contingent of the Korea Disaster Relief Team.
The second contingent has eight members, compared with 44 in the previous contingent.
Nine Koreans went missing on Aug. 26 after floods and landslides hit Rasuwa District near the Nepal-Tibet border.
The missing Koreans included six employees of Doosan Enerbility Co. and three employees of Korea South-East Power Co.
The second contingent is expected to coordinate with Nepalese authorities and international organizations on reconstruction and recovery efforts.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 12, 2026 3:33 pm KST

Yoon Chu-sok, center, deputy chief of mission at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, arrives at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Saturday, to lead the second contingent of Korea's disaster relief team. Yonhap

KATHMANDU — Korea will closely consult with Nepal on the resumption of search and rescue operations in the country, the chief of Seoul's second contingent of its disaster relief team sent to Kathmandu said Saturday.

"The government recognizes the anguish of the families (of the missing people). ... Through a seamless transition from the first contingent, we will do our best to accomplish our mission," said Yoon Chu-sok, deputy chief of mission at the Korean Embassy in Washington.

Yoon arrived in Kathmandu earlier in the day to lead the second contingent of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT).

The official stressed that additional search and rescue operations will need to be coordinated with Nepalese authorities.

The eight-member contingent, which is smaller than the previous 44-member contingent, is also expected to consult not only with Nepalese authorities but international organizations to draw up planning for reconstruction and recovery efforts.

Nine Koreans — six employees of Doosan Enerbility Co. and three of Korea South-East Power Co. — went missing on Aug. 26 after massive floods and landslides hit Rasuwa District near the Nepal-Tibet border while they were working at a hydropower plant construction site.

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