The 73rd Everest Day was celebrated in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, with a special event organized by the Embassy of Nepal in collaboration with the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation.

According to the embassy, the program brought together mountaineers, tourism professionals, members of the Korean and Nepali communities, media representatives, and officials from various organizations to commemorate the first ascent of Mount Everest and highlight Nepal’s tourism potential.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Shishir Khanal, delivered a video message extending his best wishes on the occasion. Congratulating all Korean mountaineers who have successfully climbed Mount Everest and other peaks in Nepal, he invited visitors to experience Nepal’s unique natural beauty, rich cultural diversity, adventure tourism, pilgrimage destinations, and opportunities for peace and wellness.

Speaking at the event, Nepal’s Acting Ambassador to South Korea, Nirmal Prasad Bhattarai, highlighted Nepal’s majestic mountains, natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality. He encouraged Korean citizens to visit Nepal and explore its diverse tourism offerings.

Bhattarai also drew attention to the growing impact of climate change on Nepal’s Himalayan region and stressed the need for greater international cooperation to protect fragile mountain ecosystems.

“Climate change is not a challenge confined to a single country or region; it has emerged as a global issue,” he said. “Recognizing the need for collective international action, the Government of Nepal established the Sagarmatha Sambaad in 2025 as a multilateral and cross-sector dialogue platform to promote discussion and cooperation on climate change, mountain ecosystems, and sustainable development. The first edition of the forum was successfully held.”

The event also featured discussions by Everest climbers, tourism entrepreneurs, and experts on the prospects of mountain tourism in Nepal, the challenges posed by climate change, and strategies for promoting sustainable tourism.

Around 115 people attended the program, including members of the Korean and Nepali communities, tourism industry representatives, journalists, and officials from various organizations.

Everest Day is observed annually to commemorate the historic first ascent of Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha in Nepal, by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953. The occasion is widely used to celebrate Nepal’s mountaineering heritage and promote awareness of the environmental challenges facing the Himalayan region.