KATHMANDU: Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel met with South Korean Ambassador to Nepal Park Tae-Young at the Ministry of Education and Sports in Singha Durbar on Thursday to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in education and vocational training.

The talks highlighted the historical ties between the two nations, South Korean support for Nepal’s education sector, and emerging opportunities in information technology and technical education.

During the meeting, Minister Pokharel emphasized that investing in technical education is crucial for economic prosperity and reducing unemployment, sharing the government’s target to allocate 15 percent of the national budget to education over the next five years.

He noted that even with the growth of artificial intelligence, skilled technical personnel remain essential.

The Minister proposed strengthening academic autonomy in schools and higher education, initiating faculty exchange programs between universities, and enhancing technical education through partnerships between Nepali and Korean companies.

Ambassador Park Tae-Young reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s educational reform and economic transformation, referencing ongoing Korean aid in school, higher, and vocational education, as well as polytechnic infrastructure in Madhesh and Gandaki provinces.

Highlighting how South Korea achieved rapid economic development by prioritizing education—where it allocates roughly 15 percent of its total budget—Ambassador Park pledged continued collaboration in education, agriculture, and information technology.