Nepali and Korean climbers are all prepared for the Jugal-I and II expedition (Nepal-Korea Friendship Expedition 2024), as announced by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and other organizers today.

The NMA, Nepal Tourism Board, and Jugal Rural Municipality jointly organized a press conference today at the NMA Secretariat Nagpokhari Naxal, informing the press that they are fully prepared for the expedition.

Ten Korean climbers are arriving in Nepal this evening for the expedition, while Nepali climbers are already in Kathmandu. Ten Korean climbers, led by the renowned climber and honorary citizen of Nepal, Mr. Um Hong Gil, along with three Nepali climbers, led by world record holder Nepali women climber and the 2nd Vice President of the NMA, Ms. Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, are embarking on an adventurous expedition of Jugal-I and II starting this Sunday.

The Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. 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 honorable Prime Minister, the team will head towards Jugal Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok District for the expedition.

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. "South Korea is the best market for mountaineering, and the expedition will also be televised in Korea," said Senior Vice President 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 (13th Baishak 2081) after completing the expedition.

The Government has waived the royalty for 10 members of this expedition. In its last cabinet meeting, the Government decided to waive the royalty fee for 7 Korean and 3 Nepali climbers. The expedition coincides with the 50th Anniversary of Nepal-Korean bilateral relations establishment.

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.