Mooheon Kong, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Nepal, has dedicated his career to advancing international development cooperation and fostering partnerships built on trust and shared goals. As KOICA marks its 30th anniversary in Nepal (1995–2025), Kong reflects on three decades of collaboration that have supported Nepal's journey in health, education, agriculture, governance, and green growth.
KOICA aims to become an eminent global development cooperation organization to realize global values and create mutual prosperity. It has adopted as its core values five Ps: People, Peace, Prosperity, Planet, and Partnership.
In this special interview with The Himalayan Times, he shares insights on KOICA's achievements, future vision, and the enduring friendship between Nepal and Korea. Excerpts:
Interviewer: Thank you for speaking with us. Let's start with your brief opinion on Nepal.
Kong: Thank you indeed, for letting me share my opinion. I feel Nepal is absolutely beautiful country with wonderful people and it has immense potential. Nepal's mountainous geography attracts lot of Korean people, your diverse culture and ethnicity is amazing. In fact, I and my wife like Nepal very much. Therefore, it's my second term in Nepal as a KOICA CD.
KOICA marks 30 years in Nepal this year. Could you begin by reflecting on the journey from 1995 to 2025?
It is both an honour and a responsibility to lead KOICA Nepal during this historic milestone of 30 years of KOICA in Nepal. Since the opening of the Nepal Office in 1995, we have worked hand in hand with the Government of Nepal and local partners to address development priorities. Over three decades, KOICA has invested over USD 200 million in Nepal on health, vocational education, e-governance, rural development, environmental sustainability, and gender equality.
We have seen Nepal change tremendously from the early years, when basic infrastructure was the priority, to now, when digital transformation, green growth, and climate resilience are the focus.
This journey has been about partnership, trust, and shared vision.
What were KOICA's earliest projects in Nepal?
During the late 1990s, KOICA's work was mainly focused on volunteer programs, donations of items, materials and equipment related to health, education, and agriculture. Most of the activities during this period were led through volunteer program of KOICA. Along with this, during this period KOICA had also started fellowship program for Nepalese government officials, who received long- and short- term trainings in Korea.
Beginning with the year 2000, KOICA increased its cooperation to Nepal. KOICA volunteers increased in areas of health, education, agriculture, and sports. In this decade, KOICA's first project-type assistance, the Nepal-Korea Friendship Municipality Hospital, a fifty-bed community hospital, was established in Madhyapur, Thimi. After this, Korea Nepal Polytechnic Institute, which is KOICA's first project in vocational education, was established in Butwal.
Can you highlight some key achievements from each decade?
Sure, over three decades we have established Thimi Hospital, Nepal's only fifty-bed municipality hospital. During the COVID pandemic, it even operated beyond that capacity. As a result, KOICA is now increasing its capacity to 150 beds. KOICA also built the district hospital in Mugu, one of Nepal's most remote districts. In addition, the innovation centre we established at the Kathmandu University is serving as a state of the art research centre that is becoming a hub for research, innovation, and start-ups.
Our projects in establishing technical and vocational polytechnics across the country have become favourite landmarks for youths of Nepal in accessing quality skills and trainings.
We have started project in agriculture, rural development, climate-resilient agriculture and waste management. I would also like to point out that Green Venture Zone, which is being established with KOICA's support in Pokhara, will showcase recycle and up-cycle products, technology and knowledge so that it can be a leading centre for learning and awareness-raising.
As you know, these days many Nepali youths are interested in going to Korea for employment or studies. Realizing this fact, KOICA has launched a project especially focused on Korea Returnee Migrants. Through this project, we provide information and desired skills to returnees, and in partnership with Agriculture Development Bank Limited we will provide subsidized loans to the returnees so that they can create employment at the local and national level in Nepal.
KOICA is now known for its environmental and green growth initiatives. Can you tell us more?
Yes, you are right. We supported Nepal's first public green bond in 2025, helping mobilize NPR 5 billion for renewable energy projects through Building Climate Resilience and Reintegrating Economically Displaced Workers through Climate Smart Agriculture in the Terai Flood Plain project.
Beyond infrastructure, KOICA has also worked in governance and technology. What are some examples?
We established Government Integrated Data Centre in Singha Durbar, following a recommendation of the e-governance policy master plan also supported by KOICA. KOICA also established Disaster Recovery Data Centre in Hetauda as a backup data centre for Kathmandu. KOICA has significantly supported capacity development of Nepali government officials in ICT and related sectors.
Could you tell us about KOICA's role in agriculture and rural development?
KOICA has significantly increased its intervention in agriculture and rural development sector. One of our first interventions was in integrated rural development, in Nawalparasi district. In this project, Locally Initiated Projects (LIPs) were developed at the local level and it turned out to be very successful. As a result, MoFAGA asked us to replicate that in Bardiya district as well. So now we are implementing a similar project in Bardiya, with a total budget of USD 8 million. Similarly, we have successfully completed value chain development for fruits and vegetables in the Gandaki and Sindhuli corridor. Its success has encouraged us to launch a similar project in Lumbini Province. Actually, it was signed recently on the occasion of KOICA completing 30 years in Nepal.
Can you briefly explain about the capacity development program of KOICA?
Fellowship program is one of the effective modalities of KOICA's capacity building programs. Since 1991, more than 2,230 Nepalese officials have participated in KOICA's short- and long-term fellowship programs. Of these, 250 personnel have completed their master's degrees and two now have PhDs.
In 2001, KOICA Alumni Association of Nepal (KAAN) was established by fellows of the KOICA Fellowship Program to maintain a relation between KOICA and the Nepalese who have participated in KOICA Fellowship Programs. Currently, it has 549 members.
Does KOICA also support multilateral agencies like UN agencies in Nepal?
Yes, actually many people don't know about this, but we significantly support UN agencies and other similar agencies to carry out various projects in Nepal like other partner countries. Let me tell you, achieving SDGs is also one of KOICA's missions. Therefore, we believe in fostering partnerships. For instance, we have supported about four UNDP projects. In fact, the UNDP is our current partner in implementing Green Jobs project in Pokhara. We have supported UNICEF, UNESCO, UN WOMEN, and FAO in the past. Currently, we are implementing a significant project with UNFPA to empower adolescent girls and young women in rural Nepal.
KOICA has responded to disasters and COVID as well. What stands out in that regard?
Korea has always stood by Nepal as a true friend. Whenever Nepal faced any problems, such as earthquake or any other disasters or even COVID, Korea through KOICA stood with Nepal and tried its best to help. To improve earthquake response, KOICA reconstructed Trishuli district hospital, along with 10 health posts in Nuwakot district. In fact, this hospital is a three-time winner of the Government of Nepal's best district-level hospital award.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we provided medical supplies, PCR test kits from Korea, PCR testing equipment, and capacity-building for health workers. Our approach in emergencies is always to act quickly but also to support long-term recovery.
Does KOICA support Korean Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Nepal?
KOICA establishes a comprehensive partnership network, cooperating with stakeholders such as businesses, civil society organizations (CSOs), universities, and foreign agencies in the hope of helping partner countries attain their SDGs more efficiently. Currently there are 9 ongoing projects with a total budget of USD 1.84 million.
Let's talk about cultural exchange. How important is it for KOICA's work in Nepal?
Very important. Development is not only about infrastructure or economic development; it's also about people-to-people connection. Our Korea Overseas Volunteers have worked in communities across Nepal for decades, teaching skills, introducing Korean culture, Korean language, and learning from Nepali traditions. In fact, sending volunteers to partner countries is one of the significant programs of KOICA. In Nepal, until now 2921 Korean volunteers have served in Nepal in various sectors.
Looking ahead, what is KOICA's vision for the next decade in Nepal?
From 2025 to 2035, our focus will be on inclusive green job creation, health, agriculture, and skills development. We want to help Nepal graduate from the Least Developed Country status. KOICA will wholeheartedly support this transition. Along with this, KOICA wants to support Nepal to achieve its climate commitments, and create opportunities for youth and women. KOICA's partnership with Nepal is not just about aid. It's about shared aspirations. This 30th anniversary is a celebration of friendship, resilience, and a common future.
Any closing words?
"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Nepal, our partner organizations, and the Nepali people for walking this journey with us. Together, we have achieved much, and together, we will achieve even more in the years to come."
