Robbery at Ubud Hotel Angers Bali's Chief of Police.

(12/31/2006)

A vicious robbery and physical attack on a Korean honeymoon couple staying at The Ubud Village Resort occurred on Tuesday, December 26, 2006. According to local press reports, the couple - Lee Jong Tae (36) and Lim Yung Ok (33), surprised 3 robbers in the process of robbing their bungalow who then attacked the couple with traditional swords and blades. The husband, Lee Jong Tae, suffered superficial wounds that were treated in the outpatient department of Bali's General Hospital while his wife, Lim Yung Ok, was severely attacked, requiring blood transfusions and warding in the acute care unit.

A hospital spokesman has indicated that the Korean woman is expected to make a complete recovery and should return home to Korea in a week's time.

In the day following the attack, Korea's Ambassador to Jakarta, Lee Sun-Jun, traveled to Bali in the company of his Embassy's Immigration Attaché and the Chairman of the Korea-Bali Association to meet behind closed doors with Bali's Chief of Police General Paulus Purwoko and the Provincial Governor Made Beratha.

Angered at the brutal and rare physical attack on foreign tourists, General Purwoko issued a deadline of 30-days to the Head of the Precinct in which the Hotel is located, warning stern administrative action if his men fail to make an arrest in the case. The Chief also ordered an intensification of the ongoing safety and security audits being carried out at local hotels, saying he would not hesitate to issue a public "travel warning" for hotels and villas found to be lacking in security preparedness.

Investigation Continues

Police continue an intensive investigation surrounding the attack and have interviewed no less than 11 witnesses, including staff at the nearby Vila Alam Jiwa where a non-violent robbery occurred one day before the assault on the Koreans.

While petty theft and robberies involving visitors do occur in Bali, robberies involving physical assaults on the victims are very rare, fueling the current community-wide demands for quick action by the police to capture those responsible for injuring the Korean couple.

Community Response

Shocked and dismayed by the attack, the injured couple have received visits from the Governor, Chief of Police, local Regent, and the Villa's Management - all of whom have extended profound apologies in connection with the assault. The Governor of Bali has underwritten all medical expenses for treating the two while the Regent has agreed to pay the cost of air travel for the return trip to Korea after Lim Yung Ok's discharge from the hospital in Bali.