Deepak Singh Saud, 18, from ward 2 of Shivanath Rural Municipality in Baitadi, died Friday evening at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu after being critically injured by a gunshot during a protest on Tuesday.

Deepak had been living in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, for a year to learn the Korean language. His father, Kalu Singh Saud, who works in farming and labour in the village, had sent him to Kathmandu for language classes, taking loans to support the plan of sending his son to South Korea.

A class 12 graduate in Agriculture Science from Nagarjun Secondary School, Deepak had decided to study the Korean language to improve his family’s financial situation, believing he could not achieve this while staying in Nepal.

Deepak’s parents, waiting for him to return home after a few months of exams, were left distraught upon hearing of his death. His maternal uncle, Bharat Madai, said the family, relatives, and the entire municipality are in mourning.

“His sisters are unable to cope with the loss. His parents had taken loans to support his studies so he could fulfil his dream of going to South Korea,” he said.

His friend Nirmal Saud said Deepak had recently filled out an exam form and was preparing for his Korean language test. “He was shot while moving from Balkhu to Kalimati during the protest. He died in the hospital Friday evening while receiving treatment,” Nirmal said.

Deepak was one of five brothers. His body remains at the hospital, and as of Saturday, no post-mortem had been conducted. Karn Singh Saud, chairperson of Shivnath Rural Municipality, said the news has left the village in shock. The municipality declared a holiday on Sunday in mourning.