Nepal-Republic of Korea Relations

Nepal-Republic of Korea Relations

Political Relations

Diplomatic relations between Nepal and the Republic of Korea were 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 cooperation. Frequent exchange of visits at various levels has further strengthened these relations.  

Nepal and the Republic of Korea celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the tagline ‘Everesting Friendship: Nepal-Korea 50^th Anniversary’ in 2024. The occasion was marked with the organisation 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 visits between the two countries has contributed to further strengthening bilateral relations.

A high-level meeting was held between the then Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and the then President of the Republic of Korea H.E. Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in 2023. The details of the exchange of visits between the two sides are follows:

From the Nepali side

The then Minister for Communication and Information Technology Mr. Jagdish Kharel visited the Republic of Korea from 11-15 November 2025 to participate in the 11^th Global ICT Leadership Forum, held in Seoul on 12 November 2025, on the theme “Digital and AI Transformation: Achieving the SDGs and a Sustainable Global Future.”

Then Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mr. Damodar Bhandari paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 15-19 December 2024. The visit, coinciding with the 50^th anniversary of bilateral relations, involved high-level talks and signing of trade and investment agreements.

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 the 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 the "Peace Summit 2023" held from 2-6 May 2023.

Then Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal Mr. Baidyanath Upadhaya visited the Republic of 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.

Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Republic of Korea from 12-16 May 2014 to attend the programme organised by the Embassy of Nepal in Seoul, marking the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral relations between Nepal and the Republic of Korea.

From the Korean side

Mr. Lee Jeongkyu, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, visited Nepal in January 2025 and held discussions with senior Nepali officials on expanding bilateral cooperation in the economic, development, employment, and tourism sectors.

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.

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.

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.

Ambassador H.E. Mr. Han Dong-man, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and his team visited Nepal in July 2022.

H.E. Mr. Chung Eui-hwa, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, visited Nepal from 24-26 April 2016.

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 18^th SAARC Summit.

H.E. Mr. Yu Myung-hwan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea, visited Nepal on 22 June 2009.

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.

Nepal – Republic of Korea 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 programmes 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 of Korea in order to improve their capacities in a number of fields.

KOICA’s Country Partnership Strategy for Nepal 2020-2024 states that the Government of Korea aims to contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth. It also advocates for Nepal’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to Middle Income Country status by creating a foundation for fostering competitive future generations that can create social values.

The Republic of Korea has been providing two types of grants to 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.

KOICA has completed three decades of development cooperation with Nepal. During a 2025 event in Kathmandu, major project agreements including Gandaki Institute of Technology, Value Chain Development Project (Phase II), and Sudurpaschim Polytechnic Institute were signed with a total grant of USD 29 million.

The Republic of Korea provides bilateral soft loan or loan under Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) to Nepal through Export-Import Bank of Korea.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal held the first seminar on Nepal-Korea Energy Cooperation in collaboration with Independent Power Producers’ Association (IPPAN) on 15 December 2025 in Kathmandu.

Trade and Investment

Trade volume between the two countries is increasing. The import from the Republic of Korea to Nepal is about 24 times higher than the export.

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the Republic of Korea is also being increased. The Korean investment in Nepal was Rs. 12,790,000,000 in 2080/81 (Till 2081 Jestha). Total Korean Investment is about NRs. 26,020,000,000. (Source: Department of Industries, Nepal)

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.

Nepal and the Republic of Korea signed a Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) agreement on 19 December 2024.

Tourism and Culture

Nepal has been one of the most favoured destinations for the Korean tourists. The Mt. Everest and Lumbini- the birthplace of the 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. In the year 2025 a total of 23,591 Korean tourists visited Nepal.

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 organising 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 Mechanism provides an opportunity for both sides to discuss various dimensions of bilateral relations and to forge understanding on further enhancing cooperation in future. The sixth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism was held in Seoul on 14 April 2023.  

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 earnings to Nepal and providing their services to the Republic of Korea.

Nepali Diaspora

It is estimated that the number of Nepali nationals living in the Republic of Korea is more than 91,000 including around 17,000 students. The Nepali community is one of the top 10 foreign communities.

Cooperation at Regional and Multilateral Levels

The Republic of Korea became an observer to SAARC in 2006. Since then, it has been actively undertaking programmes 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

The Korean Peninsula remains one of the issues being discussed at bilateral and multilateral levels. Nepal has had 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 of Foreign Affairs

Singha Durbar, Kathmandu

March 2026