Second unit arrives at Kathmandu airport at 8:45 a.m. local time

Team to begin planning South Korea's role in Nepal's reconstruction

South Korea's Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) second unit departs for Nepal aboard a KC-330 military transport aircraft at around 2:55 a.m. Friday, carrying relief supplies to assist victims of the Nepal floods. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
South Korea's Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) second unit departs for Nepal aboard a KC-330 military transport aircraft at around 2:55 a.m. Friday, carrying relief supplies to assist victims of the Nepal floods. [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

The second unit of South Korea's Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), dispatched in response to the devastating floods in Nepal, arrived in the country Friday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the second unit landed at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 8:45 a.m. local time.

Yoon Ju-seok, a minister-counselor at South Korea's embassy in the United States, is set to arrive in Nepal on Saturday to assume command of the second unit. Until then, Lee Kyu-ho, director general for development cooperation and head of the first KDRT unit, will serve as interim chief of the second unit.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the second unit will pursue search-and-rescue operations to the extent possible in coordination with Nepal's military authorities, even as the Nepalese government shifts its focus from search and rescue to reconstruction and recovery. The team will also conduct preliminary consultations with the Nepalese government and international organizations to help shape South Korea's contribution to Nepal's reconstruction and recovery efforts.


youknow@heraldcorp.com