Indonesia Pursues Diplomacy as Citizen Goes Missing in South Korea

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts following the disappearance of an Indonesian citizen during a tour in South Korea. The individual, identified as Femas Yani Arianto from Madiun, East Java, reportedly went missing on the first night of the tour on June 28, 2026. Heni Hamidah, the ministry's director for Indonesian Citizen Protection, stated that the government respects South Korea's jurisdiction in handling immigration breaches.

"We respect the process being carried out by the local authorities and will provide consular support if needed in accordance with the applicable local laws," Hamidah said. The ministry is working through the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul to coordinate with the South Korean government. This diplomatic channel aims to anticipate and address the increasing trend of immigration violations by Indonesian citizens, particularly concerning the misuse of visa-free group tour facilities for illegal work.

The story of Femas's disappearance gained traction on social media after being shared by the travel agency, Berani Backpacker. The agency's owner, Fariz Ragil Ramadhani, explained that Femas had asked permission to buy shoes before separating from the group. When Femas did not return and could not be contacted, the agency reported the incident to South Korean immigration authorities. The local police reportedly declined to file a report, classifying it as an "administrative immigration violation" rather than a criminal case.

Further information suggested that Femas's whereabouts were identified shortly after the case went viral, with the individual reportedly being at the Islam Korea Ansan Mosque. However, the travel agency has not been able to confirm Femas's current location, noting that the individual may have moved to a "goshiwon," a type of small rented accommodation common in South Korea. The ministry is collaborating with South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Embassy in Jakarta to prevent potential misuse of residence permits.

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We respect the process being carried out by the local authorities and will provide consular support if needed in accordance with the applicable local laws.