South Korean Embassy Issues Advisory on Safety of Foreign Nationals in Bali
The South Korean Embassy to Indonesia has issued a warning due to the increasing number of crime cases in Bali targeting foreign nationals. They are advised to be more vigilant regarding their safety.
“There has been an increase in violent crimes targeting foreign nationals in popular tourist areas in Bali such as Jimbaran, Seminyak, and Canggu. We ask Korean nationals visiting Bali to pay more attention to their safety,” stated the South Korean Embassy, as reported by Asia Business Daily on Wednesday (1/4/2026).
Concerns are rising due to consecutive serious crimes, including murders and sexual assaults.
In February 2026, specifically on the night of Sunday (15/2/2026), a male Ukrainian national was kidnapped while riding a motorbike in Jimbaran. Then, about 10 days later, on Thursday (26/2/2026), his body was found.
Then, on Monday (23/3/2026), a male Dutch national was stabbed to death by two individuals on a motorbike near the villa where he was staying.
Subsequently, in the early hours of the same date, a female Chinese national who ordered a ride after leaving a club was sexually assaulted by the driver.
In another incident in the early hours of Tuesday (24/3/2026), a female Australian national was assaulted by a hotel security guard in a bathroom in Seminyak.
Not only that, a hotel receptionist in Canggu also committed sexual assault against a female Chinese national.
In several circulating videos, the perpetrators demanded large ransoms from the victims’ families.
Meanwhile, the police have identified six suspects of Russian and Ukrainian nationality related to these cases and have requested red notices through Interpol.
Some suspects have fled, while accomplices who remain in Indonesia have been arrested.
The South Korean Embassy advises foreign travellers to immediately contact local police if a crime occurs, while emphasising the importance of seeking consular assistance if needed.
The Embassy also repeatedly urges adherence to basic safety measures, including avoiding unknown transport and verifying accommodation security.