Why were 24 Koreans arrested in Nepal?

Nepalese police arrested the 24 Koreans after they participated in a religious training program at New Covenant College while holding tourist visas. Authorities determined that some of their activities may have violated visa conditions prohibiting religious education or missionary work.

Where did the arrested Koreans participate in the religious program?

The program took place at New Covenant College in Morang district, Koshi province, in eastern Nepal. The college provides religious studies and education and is supported by a Korea-based Christian missionary organization.

What is South Korea doing after the arrests in Nepal?

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it has been in close contact with Nepalese authorities through the Korean Embassy in Nepal since learning of the arrests. The ministry withheld further details because of privacy concerns and the ongoing investigation.

24 Koreans on tourist visas nabbed in Nepal over religious program

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Summary

Twenty-four Koreans were arrested in Nepal after participating in a religious training program in Morang district while visiting on tourist visas. The program was held at New Covenant College, which receives support from a Korea-based Christian missionary organization. Nepalese police determined that some activities may have violated tourist-visa restrictions on religious education and missionary work. Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said it was communicating with Nepalese authorities through the Korean Embassy while the investigation continued.

Key Facts

The arrests were recently made in Morang district of Koshi province in eastern Nepal.
New Covenant College provides religious studies and education and operates with support from a Korea-based Christian missionary organization.
Nepal prohibits foreign nationals on tourist visas from engaging in religious education or missionary activities.
The Foreign Ministry declined to disclose further details, citing the individuals’ privacy and the ongoing Nepalese investigation.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 12, 2026 9:06 pm KST

This undated photo shows Koreans detained by Nepalese authorities. Courtesy of Ratopati

Twenty-four Koreans have been arrested in Nepal for participating in a religious program while visiting the country on tourist visas, local media reported Monday.

According to Nepalese online news outlet Ratopati, the arrests were recently made after they took part in a religious training program at New Covenant College, a Christian educational institution in the Morang district of Koshi province in eastern Nepal.

New Covenant College operates with support from a Korea-based Christian missionary organization and provides religious studies and education, according to local reports.

Nepalese police reportedly arrested the Koreans after determining that some of their activities may have violated the terms of their tourist visas.

Foreign nationals entering Nepal on tourist visas are not permitted to engage in religious education or missionary activities.

Seoul's foreign ministry said it was aware of the arrests and had been in close contact with Nepalese authorities through the Korean Embassy in Nepal since learning of the incident.

The ministry said it could not disclose further details to protect the individuals' privacy and because the Nepalese authorities' investigation was ongoing.

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