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THE INDONESIAN Ministry of Tourism, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Indonesia, have discussed the issue of a travel advisory issued by local authorities that included Bali in its narrative.
In an official statement confirmed in Jakarta on Tuesday (04/14), 2026, the Ministry of Tourism stated that it had requested clarification regarding the matter. The meeting resulted in the Embassy of the Republic of Korea issuing an apology and explaining that the previous travel advisory posting occurred due to an error by the Consul General of the Republic of Korea when responding to questions from South Korean citizens regarding a number of criminal cases in Bali.
The advisory was intended as a precautionary measure for South Korean citizens planning to visit, without the intention of harming Bali’s image as a tourist destination.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea has updated the travel advisory narrative with a more general approach and removed details of cases involving foreign nationals in Bali.
Going forward, the Embassy also stated that it would coordinate with the Indonesian government regarding the dissemination of sensitive information and provide explanations to the media in the Republic of Korea regarding the actual conditions of tourism in Bali.
In response, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated that the government would continue to welcome tourists from Korea.
“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,” said Widiyanti.
In an effort to strengthen destination security, the Ministry of Tourism continues to coordinate with the Bali Provincial Government and the Indonesian National Police. Steps taken include increasing regular risk assessments at hotels, entertainment venues, and tourist destinations, in accordance with security management standards established by the Police.
The Ministry of Tourism is also encouraging tourism industry players to strengthen guest verification systems, including ensuring that foreigner data reporting is carried out in an orderly and integrated manner.
Furthermore, the Police are increasing the presence of integrated security posts by placing monitoring points in high-activity areas such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu. This step aims to expedite the response to potential incidents on the ground.
Law enforcement is also being strengthened by tackling traffic violations, including the rental of motor vehicles to foreign nationals without official permits.
Operations (Operasi Yustisi) will be conducted periodically to monitor and prosecute misuse of stay permits, in order to maintain security and support local economic sustainability.
The Ministry of Tourism affirms its commitment to continuously strengthening collaboration with local governments, security forces, industry players, and local communities, such as the Balinese banjar (village-based villages) in Bali. This synergy is expected to build a comprehensive, community-based destination security system.
The Indonesian government is fully committed to maintaining Bali as a safe, comfortable, and world-class tourist destination. Tourists are encouraged to utilize the official services provided by the government while in Indonesia. [antaranews]
