▲ President Lee Jae Myung (L) speaks during an emergency meeting in Seoul on Aug. 27, 2026, after nine South Koreans went missing in massive floods in Nepal the previous day. (Yonhap)

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SEOUL, Aug. 27 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday ordered the mobilization of all available resources to rescue South Koreans affected by massive flooding in Nepal, as nine South Korean nationals there remain missing.

Lee issued the order during an emergency meeting, a day after catastrophic floods struck China and Nepal, with over 160 people confirmed dead so far and hundreds still missing.

As of Thursday, nine South Koreans -- all workers engaged in the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Nepal -- remained unaccounted for, while 10 others were stranded.

The government dispatched an emergency response team to Nepal earlier in the day to aid in the search for the nationals.

"I ask you to do your utmost to safeguard the people's lives and safety by mobilizing all available resources, with the determination that nothing is too much," Lee told the meeting.

The president, in particular, stressed that overseas embassies and the dispatched response team, as well as other manpower and resources, should be fully mobilized for the rescue effort.

Lee also instructed officials to check whether any other nationals have been affected and ensure the safety of South Koreans in the affected areas to prevent further casualties.

"As this is an emergency situation, utmost efforts (should be made) to rescue those who can be rescued and search for (those who remain missing)," the president said.

The president stressed the importance of cooperating with the Nepalese government, instructing officials to activate all diplomatic channels to facilitate the deployment of resources needed to rescue South Korean nationals.

Lee also offered condolences to the Nepalese government and people over the catastrophe, instructing officials to review South Korea's assistance to Nepal in dealing with the disaster and rebuilding the country, including humanitarian assistance.

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