In a significant achievement for Nepal's mountain tourism promotion, climbers from Nepal and Korea, participating in the Nepal-Korea Friendship Expedition-2024, have successfully summited the virgin peak of Jugal-I in Sindhupalchok.

The first team, led by Captain Um Hong Gil alongside Lakpa Dendi Sherpa and Lama Babu Sherpa, reached the peak on May 3. Lakpa Dendi Sherpa reached the summit at 12:30 pm, followed by Um Hong Gil and Lama Babu Sherpa at 3:30 pm the same day. Subsequently, on May 4, Joung Je Gyun, Kim Dong Jin, Koo Eun Soo, and Baek Jong Min also reached the summit of Jugal I at 12:30 pm.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) played a pivotal role in organizing this expedition, collaborating closely with the Government of Nepal, various government agencies, and international organizations.

Last year, following technical support and recommendations from the NMA, the Government of Nepal decided to open up five peaks in the Jugal Himal range for climbing activities. Soon after this decision, the NMA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jugal Rural Municipality to promote these peaks.

Under this MoU, Mr. Nima Nuru Sherpa, President of the NMA, and Mr. Mukti Pandey, Treasurer, approached the Korean Alpine Association and Um Hong Gil Human Foundation during their visit to Korea last August for this joint expedition.

The NMA was also actively involved in conducting route surveys for this expedition. A joint route survey team comprising members from the NMA, Korean Alpine Federation, Um Hong Gil Human Foundation, and Jugal Rural Municipality had successfully conducted the survey work last January.

The Nepal-Korea Friendship Expedition-2024, coinciding with the golden jubilee celebration of bilateral relations between Nepal and South Korea, is now preparing to conquer Jugal-II (6518m).