Residents watch wildfires spreading to a nearby hillside in Andong, about 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on March 25, 2025. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 6 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government announced Sunday it will grant special residency status to three Indonesian nationals who played a critical role in aiding wildfire evacuations earlier this year.
The move comes as part of a broader emergency response that also includes supplying 1,460 temporary housing units to residents displaced by the massive wildfires in the country’s southeastern regions.
Lee Han-kyung, Deputy Chief of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, praised the Indonesian individuals during a briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong.
“These three foreign nationals came to the aid of elderly residents struggling to evacuate, risking their own safety to save lives,” he said. “We are deeply grateful for their courage and selflessness.”
Among them is 31-year-old Indonesian seafarer Sugiyanto, who made headlines for carrying immobile residents to safety during the March 25 wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province.
He and a local fisheries official evacuated villagers by foot to a breakwater nearly 300 meters away, navigating steep coastal terrain that had made quick escape especially difficult for elderly and disabled residents.
Among them is Sugiyanto, a 31-year-old Indonesian seafarer who drew national attention for carrying residents unable to walk to safety during the March 25 wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province. (screenshot image from YonhapNewsTV)
In recognition of his actions, the Ministry of Justice announced on April 1 that it would consider granting Sugiyanto a long-term F-2 visa, reserved for individuals with notable contributions to Korean society.
In addition to honoring these individuals, the government is accelerating its relief efforts for wildfire victims. The temporary modular homes—provided free of charge—will allow displaced residents to stay for up to two years. Because many local governments lack experience in rapid housing deployment, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has organized an expert advisory group to oversee the entire process, from site selection to construction.
The ministry is also forming a joint task force with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Korea Forest Service, and local governments to minimize further disaster risks, particularly those related to landslides. The Korea Forest Service has completed an emergency inspection of high-risk areas and plans to begin recovery work—including the installation of waterproof sheeting—by the end of June.
Lee urged local authorities to remain vigilant. “We must remember that the risk of large-scale wildfires remains high through the end of April,” he said, calling for intensified prevention measures at the local level.
The series of responses reflects a growing commitment by South Korea to not only recognize heroic acts regardless of nationality but also to invest in resilient recovery systems as the country braces for more climate-related emergencies in 2026 and beyond.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
