South Korea to Boost Support for Nepal in Health, Education, and Employment

In a significant development marking the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations, the Republic of Korea (RoK) has pledged to amplify its support across several key sectors in Nepal, including health, education, and employment. This commitment was articulated by RoK’s Ambassador to Nepal, Park Tae-Young, during a media interaction commemorating 50 years of bilateral ties.

Highlighting the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, Ambassador Park emphasized that South Korea’s enhanced assistance strategy would focus predominantly on health, education, agriculture, and good governance. This expansion comes as both countries celebrate half a century of diplomatic relations established on May 15, 1974.

“South Korea’s support model for Nepal has been extremely effective, benefiting over 100,000 Nepali citizens through the Employment Permit System (EPS) since its inception in 2007,” stated Ambassador Park. Currently, 43,963 Nepali workers are employed in diverse sectors under the EPS in South Korea, including production, agriculture, and shipbuilding industries. Plans are underway to intensify this hiring process, with new opportunities anticipated in the wildlife and forest sectors next year.

According to the ambassador, South Korea, grappling with a low birth rate and subsequent labor shortages, values the contribution of Nepali workers. Annually, South Korea employs about 100,000 workers from 16 countries, with Nepal ranking as a top source nation.

In tandem with these employment efforts, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KoICA) in Nepal, led by chief Mohan Kong, has been instrumental in channeling Korean aid into vital developmental sectors. “Our assistance is tailored to achieve significant strides in poverty alleviation and fostering good governance,” Kong explained.

The announcements have been welcomed by local officials and beneficiaries, underscoring the potential for this increased support to catalyze further socio-economic development in Nepal.

As the bilateral relationship enters its next half-century, the reinforced commitment from South Korea promises to bring substantial benefits to Nepal, helping to forge a resilient and prosperous future for its citizens.