Bali, one of the most popular vacation destinations for Korean travelers, is facing growing security concerns as violent crimes targeting foreigners have surged. The Korean Embassy in Indonesia has issued a safety advisory urging visitors to exercise caution.
In a notice on June 4, the embassy said crimes against foreigners have been increasing in major tourist areas including Jimbaran, Seminyak and Canggu, and called for heightened vigilance. The embassy particularly stressed the importance of ensuring safety during nighttime travel and following crime prevention guidelines.
A series of serious incidents have already occurred. In mid-February, a Ukrainian man was kidnapped by assailants while traveling in the Jimbaran area. His mutilated body was discovered approximately 10 days later. Police are expanding their investigation, believing the crime involved organized kidnapping, assault and ransom demands.
Around the same period in Seminyak, a Dutch man was fatally stabbed by attackers on motorcycles near his accommodation. On the same day in the early morning hours, a Chinese woman was sexually assaulted by a ride-hailing motorcycle driver she had called while returning home from a club.
Crimes also occurred inside hotels. In the early hours of the following day, an Australian woman was sexually assaulted by a security guard at a hotel in Seminyak. The next day in the Canggu area, a hotel employee was found to have committed a similar crime against a guest.
The kidnapping case involved particularly brutal methods. The victim was reportedly dragged to a villa where he was beaten and tortured over an extended period. Videos were circulated demanding a large ransom from his family. In the footage, the victim was seen in a state of severe injury, pleading for money to be transferred.
Police have identified six suspects of Russian and Ukrainian nationality in connection with the case and have requested red notices through Interpol. Some suspects had already left the country, while accomplices who remained in Indonesia have been arrested.
The embassy advised travelers to immediately contact local police if a crime occurs and emphasized requesting consular assistance when needed. It also repeatedly urged compliance with basic safety measures, including avoiding unfamiliar transportation and verifying accommodation security.