Foreign Ministry says it is communicating with Nepali authorities and providing consular assistance

The Budhi Gandaki River in north-central Nepal runs high with floodwaters. [AP]
The Budhi Gandaki River in north-central Nepal runs high with floodwaters. [AP]

Twenty-four South Koreans traveling in Nepal on tourist visas have been arrested by local police after participating in a religious program.

According to Nepali online outlet Ratopati, police recently arrested the group after they entered Nepal on tourist visas and took part in a religious training program at New Covenant College, a Christian educational institution in the Morang district of eastern Koshi Province. The institution is operated with support from a South Korea-based Christian missionary organization.

Police determined that some of the South Koreans' activities may not have been consistent with the conditions permitted under a tourist visa, prompting the arrests.

Nepal prohibits foreigners who enter on tourist visas from participating in religious education or proselytizing activities.

The South Koreans arrived in Morang by way of the capital Kathmandu and Biratnagar in Koshi Province on Tuesday and Wednesday, and had been scheduled to remain in Nepal through Monday.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the situation and had been working closely with Nepali authorities through the South Korean Embassy in Kathmandu from the moment it learned of the incident, providing the necessary consular assistance to the nationals involved.

The ministry added that it could not disclose details of the case, citing privacy concerns and the fact that a Nepali police investigation is ongoing.

Nepal was struck by catastrophic flooding on Aug. 26, leaving more than 1,500 people dead and over 5,800 missing.

South Korean religious communities expressed condolences and joined emergency relief and recovery efforts in response.


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