Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising held a courtesy meeting today with South Korean Ambassador to Nepal, Park Tae-young, at Singha Durbar.
During the meeting, Ambassador Park congratulated Minister Ghising on his appointment and wished him a successful tenure. He expressed Korea’s desire to further strengthen the long-standing economic cooperation between Nepal and South Korea.
Minister Ghising highlighted the importance of large reservoir-based hydropower projects to ensure energy balance and facilitate electricity exports. He proposed that projects with a capacity of over 500 MW could be developed either through government-to-government collaboration or with investment from South Korean private companies.
He also requested Korea’s cooperation in developing pilot projects for green hydrogen production in Nepal—using Korean expertise—particularly for fertilizer production and public transportation.
Minister Ghising further urged an increase in the employment quota for Nepali workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS), along with skill development training for workers going to Korea and support for entrepreneurship programs upon their return to Nepal.
He also requested the Korean side to expedite the Inaruwa–Anarmani 400 kV transmission line project, which aims to connect the Arun River Corridor with the East-West transmission line, through the Korean EXIM Bank’s support. In addition, he sought cooperation in capacity building for railway construction, operation, and maintenance in Nepal.
Ambassador Park briefed Minister Ghising on the progress of the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project under construction in Rasuwa, noting that 70% of the work has been completed, with the main tunnel breakthrough expected in December. He invited Minister Ghising to attend the upcoming breakthrough ceremony.
The Ambassador also shared that the Korean side is preparing to organize a seminar to attract Korean companies to invest in Nepal’s energy sector and is holding discussions with the Ministry of Finance regarding support for transmission line construction.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen Nepal–Korea relations through enhanced cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and employment sectors.
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