KATHMANDU, APRIL 5
The Nepali and Korean climbers are fully geared up for the upcoming Jugal-I and II expedition, part of the Nepal-Korea Friendship Expedition 2024.
In a joint press conference held today at the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Nepal Tourism Board, and Jugal Rural Municipality, organizers have announced their complete readiness for the upcoming expedition.
During the press conference, organizers revealed that ten Korean climbers are scheduled to arrive in Nepal this evening, joining Nepali climbers who are already in Kathmandu. The expedition, set to commence this Sunday, will be led by distinguished climber and honorary citizen of Nepal, Um Hong Gil, guiding the Korean team, and world record holder Nepali women climber and the 2nd Vice President of the NMA, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, leading the three Nepali climbers.
Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal, is scheduled to hand over the Nepali flag to the expedition team tomorrow morning at his residential office in Baluwatar. After receiving best wishes from the PM, the team will head towards Jugal Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok District for the expedition, the organizers added.
Jugal-I (6591m) & II (6518m) are the virgin peaks of Nepal, opened for expedition activities only last year by the Government of Nepal.
As the sole alpine association of the country, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Nepal's mountain tourism, the NMA strongly believes that this expedition will pave the way for further development of Nepal's mountain tourism, the NMA said.
"South Korea is the best market for mountaineering, and the expedition will also be televised in Korea," said Senior Vice President of NMA, Thakur Raj Pandey. "Therefore, this expedition will be marketed nationally and internationally. This will definitely help Nepal attract more tourists."
The team is expected to return to Kathmandu on 25th April 2024 after completing the expedition.
The government has waived royalty fees for seven Korean and three Nepali climbers participating in the expedition during its recent cabinet meeting, coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of Nepal-Korean bilateral relations.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation, the NMA, Nepal Tourism Board, Korea Alpine Federation, Um Hong Gil Human Foundation, and Jugal Rural Municipality are jointly organizing the expedition.
