KDRT begins first foot search of mountain zone requested by families in Nepal

South Korea's Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), dispatched to Nepal to search for missing Koreans after massive flooding, is launching its first on-foot search of a key mountain zone identified by the victims' families. The Nepali government, which had been reluctant to allow foot searches over the area's rugged terrain, reversed its stance and agreed to cooperate after accepting South Korea's diplomatic request.

According to South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, six KDRT members will travel by helicopter with the Nepali military Tuesday to two mountain areas — one to the left of the Powerhouse and Yellow Bridge, and another to the right of Main Camp — where they will carry out foot searches as far as conditions allow.

Given the steep terrain and lingering risk of ground collapse, the KDRT will also deploy drones alongside the foot search to ensure the safety of its members and improve search efficiency.

The resumption of the on-foot search came after Nepal officially reversed its position Monday, agreeing to actively support the Korean rescue team's entry into the area the missing persons' families had urgently requested.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Nepali Foreign Minister Sishir Khanal on Sunday. He presented a map marked with the exact locations where the nine Koreans went missing and explained the mountain zones where the families wanted the search concentrated. Nepali authorities accepted the request and granted permission for the search.

The Nepali military had initially refused to allow foot searches, citing the steep terrain and severe ground damage from swift currents and mudslides, as well as concerns for rescuers' safety.

The KDRT conducted a foot search near Ramche on Wednesday and used drones to search the Powerhouse and weir dam area on Friday, but has yet to find any conclusive clues on the nine missing Koreans.