South Korean Embassy Admits Mistake in Issuing Travel Warning for Bali and Apologises

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Indonesia has admitted to a mistake and apologised for issuing a travel advisory for Bali on Wednesday (1 April 2026). The advisory was posted on the official website of the South Korean Embassy and became a hot topic on social media. In the advisory, South Korean citizens were urged to exercise caution due to the high number of crime and violence cases targeting foreigners in Bali, including murders, sexual assaults, and sexual harassment. “The Embassy of the Republic of Korea conveys its apologies and explains that the previous travel advisory post was due to a mistake by the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in responding to questions from its citizens regarding several criminal cases in Bali,” stated the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism on Tuesday (14 April 2026). This apology was conveyed after the Ministry of Tourism, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with the South Korean Embassy recently. The advisory was intended as a precautionary measure for South Korean citizens planning to visit, without the intention of damaging Bali’s image as a tourist destination. In the future, the embassy also stated it would coordinate with the Indonesian government on conveying sensitive information, as well as provide explanations to media in the Republic of Korea regarding the real conditions of Bali’s tourism. Measures being taken include increasing periodic risk assessments in hotels, entertainment venues, and tourist destinations, in accordance with security management standards set by the Police. Tourists are urged to utilise official services provided by the government while in Indonesia. Widiyanti added that the Ministry of Tourism is also encouraging tourism industry players to strengthen guest verification systems, including ensuring orderly and integrated reporting of foreign nationals’ data. “The Indonesian government is fully committed to maintaining Bali as a safe, comfortable, and world-class tourist destination,” said Widiyanti. In addition, the Police are increasing the presence of integrated security posts by placing monitoring points in high-activity areas such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu to accelerate responses to potential incidents in the field. Justice operations will be conducted periodically to monitor and address misuse of residence permits, in order to maintain security stability while supporting local economic sustainability. “Indonesia will continue to welcome tourists from around the world, including from the Republic of Korea, to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Indonesian tourism,” concluded the Minister of Tourism.