NARASINETWORK.COM - Courage and human values know no national borders. This was demonstrated by Sugianto, an Indonesian migrant worker who saved seven elderly residents during a wildfire in Yeongdeok, South Korea, in March 2025. For his heroic actions, on 2 January 2026, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung presented him with a Presidential Citation at the New Year’s Reception held at the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) in Seoul.
In a life-threatening emergency, Sugianto acted quickly, sincerely and selflessly. This humanitarian act transcended nationality and earned the highest recognition from his host country. The award proves that Indonesian migrant workers are not just labourers, but also nation ambassadors who carry values of courage, solidarity and social care on the global stage. Indonesia is proud and extends its highest praise to Sugianto and his colleagues who took part in the rescue.
Sugianto was born in Indramayu, West Java, on 1 December 1994. He comes from a fishing family, with parents Waski (father) and Warsini (mother). From childhood, he was taught to help others and uphold values of social care. On 12 December 2017, Sugianto travelled to South Korea as a migrant worker on a work visa and took up employment as a fisherman in the coastal village of Gyeongjeong, Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province. By 2025, he had been living in South Korea for around eight years.
Sugianto is married to Indah Dwi Ani and has one son, who lives with his wife in Indramayu. In South Korea, he is known to engage actively with local residents and has adapted well to his surroundings, including learning the local Gyeongsang dialect. His ability to speak the local language made it easier to communicate with elderly villagers. While living in Yeongdeok, Sugianto regularly joined community activities and built strong social ties, noting that life on the Yeongdeok coast reminded him of his hometown in Indonesia.
On 22 March 2025, a major wildfire broke out in the Uiseong area and spread to several locations in southeastern South Korea. Flames reached Yeongdeok County on 25 March 2025, fuelled by strong winds and dry weather conditions. The fire caused power and communication disruptions in several areas, including Gyeongjeong Village which is home to around 60 residents. Most villagers were unaware of the danger immediately because the incident occurred at night and many people were already asleep.
When evacuation warnings were announced by village officials, some residents did not leave their homes right away. In this emergency situation, Sugianto joined two other Indonesian migrant workers, Leo Dipiyo and Vicky Septa Eka Saputra, to assist with evacuation efforts by visiting the homes of elderly residents.
Together with the village head and local fishermen’s community leader, the three men searched through the settlement and woke residents who were still inside their homes. The village’s hilly terrain with steep paths made it difficult for some elderly people to move. During the evacuation, Sugianto carried at least seven elderly residents to safety at a coastal breakwater around 300 metres from the settlement. Leo Dipiyo and Vicky Septa Eka Saputra helped evacuate other elderly residents in similar fashion.
For his humanitarian actions, Sugianto received special attention from the South Korean Government. In mid-2025, he was awarded his first official honour from the local authorities. Alongside the award, Sugianto was granted a long-term residence visa (F-2 category), allowing him to live and work in South Korea for an extended period. The visa was part of South Korean government policy to recognise individuals who make meaningful contributions to community safety.
On 2 January 2026, during a state ceremony at the Blue House, Sugianto received a further national award, a medal and certificate of honour presented directly by President Lee Jae-myung. The ceremony honoured eleven individuals from various fields of contribution, and Sugianto was recorded as the only foreign national to receive an award. Earlier, on 18 April 2025, he had also received an award from South Korea’s Minister of Justice, Park Sung Jae. In addition, Sugianto was conferred the Order of Civil Merit, Pomegranate Medal as the highest honour for his service.
The Indonesian Government, through the Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection (KemenP2MI), extended full praise for the involvement of Indonesian migrant workers in the rescue operation. As recognition of his contribution, Sugianto was appointed as Indonesian Migrant Worker Ambassador. The representative of the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, Zelda Wulan Kartika, attended the award ceremony where the South Korean Government honoured Sugianto and his two colleagues.
Sugianto’s parents expressed pride in their son’s actions and hoped he would remain humble and continue to do good for others. The family stated that the care values shown by Sugianto reflect the upbringing he received as a child in his hometown.
