Suresh Ranabhat / Pokhara, September 18
South Korean artist and author Ku Hyun Kim has donated 5,000 kg (200 bags) of rice to assist victims of the catastrophic Bhote Koshi River floods in Uttar Gaya Rural Municipality, Rasuwa.
The 80 year old South Korean citizen raised NPR 500,000 in collaboration with 26 members from the Buddhist Academy, Buddhist Review, and Cheongyang Travel School in South Korea before traveling to Nepal. Coordinated by Parichaya Advertising and facilitated by Pokhara Metropolitan City, 200 bags of high-quality rice (25 kg each) will be delivered directly to the flood-affected families in Uttar Gaya Rural Municipality Rasuwa, Nepal.
“We still remember Nepal’s generosity in sending rice to our ancestors during the painful times of the Korean War 75 years ago. This support, raised by friends saving their coffee money, is an expression of our gratitude toward Nepal.” -Ku Hyun Kim, South Korean Artist and Author
Kim, who has been visiting Nepal on tourist visas for the past 11 years, considers Nepal his second home. Upon hearing news of the floods, he recalled his journey through Rasuwa to Kailash Mansarovar last year and immediately mobilized to gather relief funds.
Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhanraj Acharya, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Kim for traveling from South Korea at the age of 80 to serve flood victims. Mayor Acharya committed to ensuring the relief materials promptly reach the affected families in Uttar Gaya, where aid is urgently needed. Kim expressed his gratitude to Mayor Acharya for facilitating the support during this difficult time.
Managing Director of Parichaya Advertising, Sovit Bashyal, stated that coordinating the delivery of relief materials to the targeted families is part of the organization’s social responsibility to honor such generous humanitarian efforts.
Having heard stories since childhood about Nepal sending rice out of humanitarian goodwill during the 1950–1953 Korean War, Kim’s relief effort stands as a living testament to a 75-year-old emotional bond and enduring gratitude.
