Nepal, S. Korea agree to renew EPS

Kathmandu, No. 9

Nepal and South Korea have agreed on the need to renew the memorandum of understanding on the Korean Employment Permit System (EPS) at the earliest.

The two couontries have decided on the need at the fifth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between Nepal and South Korea held in the Capital on Tuesday.

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the decision was made while underscoring the contribution of Nepali workers in Korea to the economies of both countries.

Nepal has also requested Korea to incrase the number of quotas to Nepal under EPS and to arrange receive the Nepali workers who passed EPS tests as early as possible.

EPS is the government to government agreement to supply Nepali workers to South Korea.

On the occasion, the two sides discussed and exchanged views on further promoting cooperation in the areas of COVID-19 response and recovery, trade, investment, and employment.

Likewise, cooperation on energy, technology, education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people relations was also given priority.

Joint Secretary of the North East Asia Division at the MoFA Lok Bahadur Thapa and Director General, South Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea Sangryol LEE led their respective delegations to the meeting.

"They took stock of overall state of Nepal-Republic of Korea relations and stressed on the importance of exchange of high-level visits and engagements to further promote friendly ties between the two countries," said the MoFA.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 November 2021.