All 24 South Koreans arrested in Nepal released… Authorities urge compliance with local laws

Published 2026-10-18

Recently, 24 South Koreans who were engaged in religious activities in Nepal were arrested by local police and have since all been released. They were apprehended by local authorities while conducting a religious event in a region of Nepal.

Nepalese authorities took issue with the fact that they were engaging in unauthorized religious activities despite having entered the country on tourist visas. While Nepal's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the law strictly prohibits forcing religion on others or encouraging conversion.

Immediately after the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Embassy in Nepal communicated closely with local authorities to confirm their safety and work toward their swift release. Fortunately, all the arrested South Koreans were released without any major health issues and are reported to have since begun the process of returning home.

This incident has once again demonstrated the importance of respecting local laws and cultures while abroad. In particular, when visiting foreign countries for the purpose of religious or volunteer activities, one must thoroughly check the visa regulations and laws of the respective country in advance.

The government has urged citizens staying abroad to be cautious so as not to face disadvantages by violating local laws. Citizens planning overseas travel or activities are advised to understand the specific characteristics of the countries they intend to visit to ensure a safe trip.

Sources: 서울신문

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