Confirmed Two Koreans Aboard Crashed Nepal Aircraft... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Elevates Response Headquarters (Comprehensive)

Deputy Foreign Minister's Emergency Meeting on the 15th Afternoon
Prime Minister Han Deok-su: "Establish a Rapid Communication System"

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong and Chaeun Koo] On the 15th, the government confirmed that two Koreans were on board the aircraft that crashed in Nepal and activated the Overseas Korean Protection Task Force.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated regarding the passenger plane crash that occurred on the same day, "According to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal, confirmed through the airline and related organizations, two Koreans were on board," and added, "To ensure the safety and protection of overseas Koreans, the Overseas Korean Protection Task Force and the On-site Countermeasures Headquarters, led by Choi Young-han, Director of the Overseas Koreans Consular Office, are currently operating."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Immediately after grasping the situation of the accident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a countermeasure meeting chaired by Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Do-hoon. Vice Minister Lee received a report on the local situation through a video conference with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal and discussed related countermeasures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs upgraded the initially established Overseas Korean Protection Task Force to the Overseas Korean Protection Headquarters.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal reported that consular cooperation officers were urgently dispatched to the accident site to confirm the survival status of the passengers. Vice Minister Lee instructed to "do their utmost to confirm the survival of the Koreans" and ordered the dispatch of diplomatic officials to the accident site. He also instructed close communication with the families of the victims and to provide necessary support.

The passenger plane had a total of 72 people on board, including 68 passengers and 4 crew members. According to major foreign media, 40 deaths have been confirmed so far.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo issued an urgent directive regarding the Nepal aircraft crash, ordering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to identify the damage to our citizens and respond promptly. Prime Minister Han urged, "Establish a rapid contact system with the families of our citizens presumed to have been on board the crashed aircraft," and "Provide thorough explanations of the local situation to the families and offer maximum consular assistance as needed."

According to foreign media, the ATR72 aircraft operated by Nepal's Yeti Airlines, which took off from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, in the morning, crashed near Pokhara Airport, its destination. The passenger plane had 72 people on board, including 68 passengers and 4 crew members, and about 10 foreigners were also on board.

Reuters reported that the foreigners included 2 Koreans, 5 Indians, and 4 Russians. Nepalese authorities are conducting rescue operations using helicopters and other means, and more than 40 bodies have been recovered at the accident site.

Indian local media reported that all 72 people on board the aircraft are presumed dead.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.