Ruling and opposition parties unite in urging swift rescue of Koreans missing in Nepal floods

South Korea's ruling and opposition parties spoke with one voice Wednesday, calling on the government to act swiftly after massive flooding in Nepal's Rasuwa region left eight South Koreans unaccounted for and 10 others stranded.

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok said Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, that he had spoken by phone with the foreign minister to urge that rescue personnel be dispatched to the scene without delay.

"The National Assembly will do everything necessary," Kim said. "I pray for those in danger and for the families who cannot sleep from worry. Please, let us all come together."

The Democratic Party also urged the Foreign Ministry to take an active role. Senior Spokesperson Park Seong-jun said in a written briefing that the ministry must respond swiftly and mobilize every available resource to ensure a thorough search-and-rescue effort for South Korean nationals.

The People Power Party likewise called for an immediate government response. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok wrote on Facebook that eight South Koreans working at a hydropower plant construction site in Nepal had lost contact with authorities, while 10 others were isolated. "I sincerely hope they all return home safely and quickly," he said.

Jang said the Nepali government had launched an emergency response and that Seoul planned to dispatch a joint rapid-response team in the shortest possible time. "Every moment counts — there must be no delay whatsoever," he said.

He urged that all possible efforts be made and expressed condolences to the Nepali people, noting that the floods had killed nine people and left 384 missing, including 291 foreign nationals.

"I hope rescue and recovery operations proceed as quickly as possible," Jang added. "The People Power Party will spare no effort in providing whatever support is needed."

Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik also took to Facebook, noting that the South Koreans who had lost contact or were stranded were employees at a local hydropower plant construction site, and called on Nepali authorities to pay special attention to their rescue.

"The 18 South Koreans who are currently unaccounted for or isolated are not tourists — they are employees of Korea South-East Power and Doosan Enerbility who were building a hydropower plant there," Jeong wrote.

"All lives are equal, but given that these are workers under contract building infrastructure for the Nepali people, I urge Nepali authorities to take extra care in searching for and rescuing our citizens," he said.

He went on to urge the government to mobilize all diplomatic channels and available means to bring every South Korean home safely.

Political circles view the incident — a disaster at an overseas construction site — as one requiring swift government action and close coordination with local authorities above all else. With the search for missing persons and the rescue of those stranded growing increasingly urgent, attention is focused on how quickly the Foreign Ministry and relevant agencies can respond on the ground.