Indonesian migrant worker Sugianto standing next to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Jan 2, 2026, during an award ceremony at the Blue House in Seoul. - Courtesy of Kompas.com
JAKARTA: An Indonesian fisherman working in South Korea, Sugianto, has been awarded a presidential honour by President Lee Jae-myung for his bravery in rescuing elderly residents during a massive forest fire in the country.
The 31-year-old said the award was presented during a New Year’s celebration at the Blue House in Seoul on Friday (Jan 2), making him the first and only Indonesian national to receive such recognition from the South Korean head of state.
“It felt like a dream. I was the only Indonesian among the recipients, who were all South Koreans,” Sugianto said on Sunday, as quoted by Kompas.com.
Sugianto, who has worked in South Korea for eight years, said he never imagined he would meet President Lee, let alone be honoured by him.
“I was truly surprised, because even South Koreans say it is very difficult to meet the president,” he added. Sugianto said he hopes the award will inspire Indonesian migrant workers around the world to continue helping others, regardless of nationality.
“We need to show that Indonesians are friendly and always willing to help others,” he said.
From March 21 to May 15, 2025, South Korea was hit by a severe wildfire outbreak, with more than 20 blazes burning simultaneously across the country.
The disaster claimed 32 lives, including three firefighters and one government official, and forced more than 37,000 people to flee their homes
One of the affected areas was Gyeongjeong village in North Gyeongsang Province, where Sugianto lives and works as a fisherman.
The small coastal village, located in a hilly area, is home to about 60 residents, most of whom are elderly.
Sugianto told the BBC that thick haze had blanketed the village for days. On March 25, the village head issued an emergency evacuation order as the fire moved steadily closer. Sugianto immediately left his rented home and headed to a breakwater about 100m away, which had been designated as the evacuation point.
However, upon arriving, he realised that many residents had not made it there. Wearing a mask, Sugianto began going door to door, knocking on residents’ homes. He guided them slowly to the evacuation site and carried those who were unable to walk.
That night, he successfully rescued seven elderly residents. No fatalities were reported in the village, although several houses were destroyed by the fire.
Sugianto said the public attention surrounding his heroic actions has led to numerous job offers in South Korea, but he has chosen to remain in his current position, saying he feels a deep bond with the Gyeongjeong village community, which he now considers his second family.
He added that several filmmakers have also contacted him, expressing interest in turning his story into a film.
In addition to the presidential honour, the South Korean government is reviewing the possibility of granting Sugianto an F-2 long-term residency visa for skilled foreigners, a move seen as a further acknowledgment of his courage and contribution.
Despite the recognition, Sugianto said he remains focused on his family back home. The fisherman, who has a wife and a five-year-old son in Indramayu, West Java, said he plans to return to Indonesia within the next three years. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
