Political Relations
Diplomatic relations between Nepal and the Republic of Korea was established on 15 May 1974. The Republic of Korea opened its Embassy in Kathmandu in 1974. Nepal established its Embassy in Seoul in 2007. The relations between the two countries are based on goodwill, friendship and mutual cooperation. Frequent exchanges of visits at various levels have further strengthened these relations.
Nepal and the Republic of Korea celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the tagline ‘Everesting Friendship: Nepal-Korea 50th Anniversary’ in 2024. The occasion was marked with the organization of various commemorative events including exchange of congratulatory messages between the Prime Minister of Nepal and the President of the Republic of Korea.
Exchange of Visits
Exchange of High-level of visits between the two countries has contributed to further strengthening bilateral relations.
A high level meeting was held between the then Prime Minister Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and the then President of the Republic of Korea H.E. Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol on ths sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in 2023. A detail of the Exchange of Visits between the two sides is as follows:
From the Nepali side
Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey,then Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Republic of Korea from 12-16 May 2014 to attend the program organized by the Embassy of Nepal in Seoul, marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral relations between Nepal and the Republic of Korea.
Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal Mr. Baidyanath Upadhaya visited Korea from 17-20 November 2016 leading a seven member delegation. The delegation met with the head of the presiding Judge of the Seoul High Court of Korea and exchanged views on the cooperation between the two courts.
Mrs. Shashikala Dahal, then Vice Chair of the National Assembly, Federal Parliament of Nepal visited the Republic of Korea from 9-13 December 2019 to participate in Asia Pacific Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Environment and Development.
Mr. Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, the then Chairman of the National Assembly, Federal Parliament of Nepal paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 3-6 September 2019. He also visited the Republic of Korea to participate in "Peace Summit 2023" held from 2-6 May 2023.
From the Korean side
H.E. Mr. Lee Sang Soo, Minister of Labour of the Republic of Korea, paid an official visit to Nepal from 27-29 January 2007.
H.E. Mr. Yu Myung-hwan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, visited Nepal on 22 June 2009.
H.E. Chang Nae Sam, Deputy Minister for Construction and Water Resources Policy, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Korea visited Nepal from 25 to 26 July 2011.
H.E. Congressman Mr. Choi Kyu-sung of the Republic of Korea visited Nepal from 8-11 August 2011.
Mr. Woo Ken Hag, Director of Planning Department, National Election Commission, leading a four-member delegation, visited Nepal from 14-17 July 2013.
Ms. Kim Jung Im, Assistant Director of the Ministry of Labour of the Republic of Korea visited Nepal from 21-23 December 2013 to study the arrangement made by the Government of Nepal to enter into Korean Employment Permit (EPS) System.
H.E. Mr. Kyung-soo Lee, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of the Republic of Korea visited Nepal from 25-27 November 2014 to participate in the 18th SAARC Summit.
H.E. Mr. Chung Eui-hwa, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea visited Nepal from 24-26 April 2016 on a friendly visit.
Mr. Jeong-hyun Ryu, Director-General of South Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea visited Nepal from 19-20 September 2017.
Mr. Sangryol LEE, Director-General for Asian and Pacific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, visited Nepal from 8-9 November 2021 to participate in the fifth Meeting of Nepal-Republic of Korea Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM).
Ambassador H.E. Mr. Han Dong-man, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and this team visited Nepal in July 2022.
Mr. Hark Kyu PARK, Global President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Samsung Electronics Co. visited Nepal and paid a courtesy call on the then Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba on 24 August 2022.
A delegation comprised of the National Assembly members of the Republic of Korea led by H.E. Mr. Sang Heon LEE, President of the Korea-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group visited Nepal from 19-22 August 2022.
A delegation led by the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Jang Sung-Min visited Nepal from 12-14 February 2023.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea H.E. Mr. Chung Hwang-keun visited Nepal from 2-3 November 2023.
Nepal – RoK Economic/Development Cooperation
With the aim of strengthening the friendly and cooperative relationship between Nepal and the Republic of Korea, the Korean government has extended assistance for socio-economic development of Nepal through various development programs implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) since 1 April 1991.
In 1999, with the financial and technical support from KOICA, the Korea-Nepal Friendship Hospital was established in Bhaktapur to provide access to quality health services to the people of Bhaktapur and adjoining districts.
Every year KOICA invites more than 100 government officials from Nepal to the Republic Korea in order to improve their capacities in a number of fields.
The Republic of Korea has been providing two types of grants in Nepal through KOICA: a) Grant Aid, which includes equipment and project aid; and b) Technical Cooperation, which includes development studies, trainings, volunteers, health and rural development and ICT sector support among others. KOICA has been dispatching middle-level technical personnel to work as volunteers in Nepal. The Republic of Korea provides bilateral soft loan or loan under Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to Nepal through Export-Import Bank of Korea.
Trade and Investment
Trade volume between the two countries is increasing. However, there is trade imbalance between the two countries. The import from Korea to Nepal is about 24 times more than the export.
The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the Republic of Korea is also being increased. The Korean investment in Nepal is NRs. 12 Arba 96 Crores in 2080/81 (Till 2081 Jestha) and Total Korean Investment in Nepal is about NRs. 26 Arba 2 Crores.
Samsung's Factory for producing television sets was established in Nawalparasi in August 2022. The production work was commenced in April 2023.
Hyundai Motors and Laxmi Groups have started partnership in assembling automobiles in Nawalparasi producing annual 4,800 automobiles. The factory was launched in May 2024.
Tourism and Culture
Nepal has been one of the most favored destinations for the Korean tourists. The Mt. Everest and Lumbini- the birthplace of Buddha, are major attractions. Nepal’s natural sanctity and religious holy places attract Korean tourists. Both Nepal and the Republic of Korea have commonality in cultural values based on the ideals of Buddhism. Around 24000 tourists from the Republic of Korea visited Nepal in 2023. The figure stood at 27,071 in 2024.
The Embassy of Nepal in Seoul took Eternal Peace Flame from Lumbini and installed it permanently on the premises of Dosunsa Monastery on 21 March 2013. The two countries concluded a Cultural Agreement on 30 March 2005. Since then, both countries have been organizing cultural events in each other’s capital regularly.
Bilateral Consultation Mechanism
Nepal and the Republic of Korea concluded an agreement for the establishment of a Consultation Mechanism between the Foreign Ministries of both countries in October 2001. The sixth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism was held in Seoul on 14 April 2023. The Mechanism provides an opportunity for both sides to discuss various dimensions of bilateral relations and to forge understanding on further enhancing cooperation in upcoming days.
Employment Permit System
Nepal and the Republic of Korea have concluded an agreement to recruit Nepali workers under Employment Permit System (EPS) in 2007. Nepal’s participation in EPS system has been mutually rewarding to both countries. The Nepali youths are contributing to the economies of both countries by remitting their earning to Nepal and providing their services to the Korean economy. The Government of the Republic of Korea has been increasing the quota for Nepali workers under the EPS system. Additional 1900 quota was added to Manufacturing sector in 2024 making the total number to 16,300. Shipbuilding and Service sectors were added in 2024. Nepal ranks the first among 16 EPS Partner Countries.
Nepali Diaspora
It is estimated that the number of Nepali nationals living is more than 70,000. Nepali community is estimated to be in the top 10 largest foreign communities. Out of the total number, there are about 47,000 under the EPS system, about 5,500 as students, and about 18,000 as others.
Cooperation at Regional and Multilateral Levels
The Republic of Korea became an observer to SAARC in 2006. Since then, it has been actively undertaking programs to share its development experience with the SAARC member countries. Nepal and the republic of Korea have been cooperating with each other in many international forums including the United Nations on the issues of common interest.
Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula remains one of the issues being discussed at bilateral and multilateral levels. Nepal has the longstanding supportive position for the peaceful reunification of Korea as per the will of the Korean people. Nepal has the earnest wish to see peace, unity and stability in the Korean Peninsula. Nepal holds firm belief against any acts detrimental to international nuclear non – proliferation efforts and for the global efforts to establish peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
North East Asia Division
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu
