Foreign Ministry coordinates with South Korean authorities over suspected human trafficking involving Indonesians
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Seoul, has stated that it is coordinating with South Korean authorities to obtain information regarding suspected human trafficking (TPPO) involving Indonesian nationals in South Korea.
It was previously reported that social media was abuzz with posts from the X account @kioyyx_ alleging suspected human trafficking involving a number of Indonesian nationals in Jeju, South Korea.
In a written statement from the Directorate of Protection of Indonesian Nationals (PWNI) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Monday, KBRI Seoul conveyed that the allegations point more towards a visa-processing fraud case perpetrated by a broker syndicate that has been reported since June 2026, but is now being reported as suspected human trafficking.
“As a follow-up, KBRI Seoul has coordinated intensively with the Jeju Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to obtain official information regarding… as well as confirmation of the involvement of Indonesian nationals as victims,” said Director of PWNI at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Heni Hamidah.
According to Heni, to date, there has been no official information from the relevant authorities because the case is still under review.
In addition, Heni also mentioned that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through KBRI Seoul, continues to monitor the development of a missing-person case in Jeju, South Korea.
It was previously reported that the body of a South Korean national was discovered on 24 August 2026, while the victim had been reported missing since May 2026.
According to Heni, based on information obtained by KBRI Seoul, there are allegations of evidence destruction and unilateral closure of the case investigation by local police officers.
“Currently, the Jeju Police are reviewing allegations of similar actions carried out in 289 other cases,” said Heni.
The Director of PWNI stated that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to monitor the development of both cases through intensive coordination with the relevant authorities, and will provide progress reports at the earliest opportunity.
Posts circulated from the Instagram account @kioyyx_, who claims to be an Indonesian national and immigrant in Jeju, alleging suspected human trafficking in Seogwipo involving Indonesian nationals both as facilitators and as victims.
In the post, the account owner stated that they had reported the suspected human trafficking to the Jeju Immigration Office via email and received a reply that the report had been received and would be processed in due order.
The account owner also asked netizens for help in identifying which agency could be contacted to report the suspected human trafficking, adding that the police could contact them if they read the message.