KATHMANDU: Rim Jong Bum, a South Korean monk by birth, who has made Nepal his virtual home, is lending a helping hand to marginalised rural people in overcoming poverty.

Unveiling his proposed project to The Himalayan Times today, Bum said he was interested in helping the needy and those excluded from the mainstream development in far-flung districts. “I want to bring smiles on to the faces of deprived ones in rural Nepal,” he said.

To begin with, Bum is supporting education and health of the vulnerable groups with special focus in hard-to-reach districts of Nepal. Unwrapping a document about his upcoming projects in Nepal, he said, "I am helping those who have been excluded from mainstream development. I want to bring smile in their faces."

He is one among many Korean monks under the Korea-Nepal Friendship Association (KNFA) who is currently in Nepal to help rural poor with education and health.

KNFA has also recently launched a long-term campaign in South Korea to promote tourism in Nepal.

With the onset of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, the organisation is luring Korean tourists into visiting the country. "Nepal is bestowed with gifted natural beauties. With 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world, it is a hotspot destination for mountaineers, rock climbers and people seeking adventures," said Bum, who is also launching a magazine next year with a view to promote Nepal-Koreacultural ties.

Bum was in Nepal in 1988. He said he had visited Nepal 50 times thus far.

He is also interested in promoting trekking routes to Annapurna. "How can I afford to overlook Nepal which backed South Korean during the Koran War 60 years ago?" he asked.

"Some 147 gallant Nepalis then gave their blood to South Korea in the war," he added.