▲ According to the Political Prisoners Support Alliance, an international human rights organization, the number of civilian deaths increased to 1,06 as of the 18th. The photo shows the family mourning at the funeral home of 18-year-old Koh Jaur Rat, who died during a military demonstration against the military on April 2nd.
It has been 200 days since the military coup in Myanmar. According to the Coalition for Supporting Political Prisoners, an international human rights organization, 1,06 civilians and 5,730 detained were killed by the military and police until that day (18th). In the village of Kani in Sagaing Province, 43 residents, including the elderly and disabled, were brutally murdered last month for “not cooperating with the military”. . Despite this brutal repression by the military for more than 200 days, the people of Myanmar have not given up on their aspirations for democracy. Yesterday, people risked their lives and held protests against the military in various places in Myanmar, including Mandalay, Long Ron, and Pakant. Through social media, we share and support the protest situation and further solidify our sense of solidarity to restore democracy.
In this situation, it was confirmed by SBS coverage that the Democratic People’s Unity Government, which resists the military, has appointed a special envoy centering on friendly countries. The special envoy serves as a de facto ambassador to inform the military’s atrocities in detail and to obtain diplomatic recognition from the international community. After the Czech Republic’s Special Envoy Lin Tan and Australia’s Thun Aung Siwe, the third Korean envoy was appointed by Yannai Thun. Special Envoy Yannai Thun has been living in Korea since 1992 and has been devoted to the democracy movement in Myanmar while serving as president of the International Organizing Committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and co-representative of the Korean branch of the Military Dictatorship Overthrow Committee. At the May 18th Seoul Memorial Ceremony, he even read a memorial service on behalf of Myanmar people. Special Envoy Yannai Thun will not only play a role as a bridge in the diplomatic relations between the Korean government and the Myanmar National Unity Government, but also actively inform the Korean people of the reality of Myanmar.
In an exclusive interview with SBS yesterday, Special Envoy Yannai Toon predicted that the death toll on the 200th day of the military coup would be well over 1,000. This is because the counting of mountainous or underdeveloped areas is not properly reflected. Regarding the establishment of a transitional government by the Myanmar military on the 1st and the announcement of a general election in 2023, he pointed out that the international community should not be deceived by the military’s tricks, saying, “Even if it escapes from a viper (even if it sheds its skin), the essence is a viper.” He also asked the Korean government to cooperate with Korean companies investing in Myanmar to temporarily suspend investment, and to actively support Myanmar’s democracy, as it has done so far. In addition, he said that humanitarian aid is also a great help to Myanmar people who are experiencing triple hardship from military dictatorship, Corona 19, and economic hardship. Special Envoy Yannai Thun finally clenched his fists toward the people of Myanmar, saying, “In the end, in the fight between justice and injustice, justice wins.” The following is the full video interview with Special Envoy Yannai Toon.
Myanmar National Unity Government appointed Yannai Thun as special envoy to Korea
Q. Hello, special envoy. First of all, thank you for responding to our SBS interview request while you are busy. And congratulations on your appointment as special envoy representing NUG. First of all, please introduce yourself.
A. My name is Yan Nai Thun. I came to Korea at the end of 1992. Since then, I have been immersed in democratic activities. In addition to the current chairman of the International Organizing Committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD) of Myanmar, he has contributed to the Myanmar Spring Revolution by serving as the co-representative of the Korean branch of the Military Dictatorship Overthrow and the representative of the Myanmar Democracy Network.
The third special envoy after the Czech Republic and Australia… “Korea-Myanmar Bridge Role”
Q. You were appointed as special envoy to Korea by the National Unity Government (NUG), a democratic government in Myanmar on the 16th. I understand that it is the third special envoy after the Czech Republic and Australia. What does this mean?
A. For now, the NUG side is preparing to appoint a NUG representative envoy in a country where there is likely to be a representative envoy. It is taking some time to select people who are suitable for the job, those who have a general understanding of their home country, and those who are familiar with the political world, such as the government of that country and the National Assembly. I understand that in the near future, Myanmar’s special envoys to represent NUGs by country will be appointed.
Q. It seems that the special envoy will play the role of an ambassador to Korea, communicating and consulting with the Korean government on behalf of the Myanmar NUG. Please describe your specific role.
A. Yes, I will serve as a bridge between Korea-Myanmar and diplomatic relations between the Korean government and the NUG government. We will operate in accordance with the policies of the NUG Government and the instructions received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the NUG. I was appointed only a few days ago. I am awaiting instructions from the government and the relevant departments. As I mentioned earlier, it will serve as a bridge in the diplomatic relations between the two countries and inform the Korean government and the people of the current situation in Myanmar and the activities of the Myanmar government.
“Myanmar, the worst situation … The actual number of deaths and detainees will be higher”
Q. It has been 200 days since the military coup took place in Myanmar. According to the Political Prisoners Support Coalition, as of the previous day, 1,6 people had died and 5,730 were detained. In reality, the death toll is expected to exceed 1,000. What is the local situation in Myanmar as understood by NUG?
A. Yes. Yes. The death toll may be higher than expected. It is very difficult to compile death toll statistics in some mountainous areas or villages in underdeveloped areas. Therefore, as I mentioned earlier, I would like to say that the number of deaths and deaths may exceed the current statistics. The current situation in Myanmar that the NUG government understands is that the military is illegally usurping the state’s government, brutally oppressing and oppressing the people of Myanmar in many ways, and committing inhumane atrocities. They are killing people and detaining them in prisons. I would like to say that Myanmar is currently in the worst situation. The people are suffering a lot under the military dictatorship.
“National Unity Government, composed of members of the National Assembly and representative national leaders elected by the people of Myanmar”
Q. Myanmar’s democratization camp formed the National Unity Government (NUG) in mid-April, led by the National League for Democracy (NLD). More than 4 months have passed since then. In the meantime, please explain in detail what efforts NUG has made.
A. The NUG government is a government organization made up of members of the National Assembly directly elected by the people of Myanmar and leaders of the representative nation. It is a government composed mainly of many representative ethnic groups and citizens. Therefore, under the current circumstances, our government should try to get each government to recognize the NUG government as an official government directly elected by the people. We are talking about the reality of Myanmar so that the international community can know it. We report to the international community the misfortunes of the people of Myanmar and the oppression and oppression of the military dictatorship. It is a time when the NUG government is actively forming relations with the international community so that Myanmar can be liberated from the military dictatorship and democracy can be restored.
“All democracies, including Korea, understand and support the government of national unity.”
Q. You said that NUG is working hard to be recognized as an official government. I wonder if there are any countries that have officially recognized them so far. And you said that you are continuing to communicate with the international community, including the Korean government. What specific results have you had?
A. The NUG government is working prudently to gain international recognition. Therefore, humanitarian and democratic countries with good manners in the international community sympathize with the NUG government in many ways and have a general understanding of the NUG based on the spirit of love for democracy. We need a lot of data and evidence to be recognized as a government. I believe that sooner or later there will be countries that generally support our government. We are constantly working to do that. We know that all democracies, including the Republic of Korea, understand, support and support our NUG government.
“Myanmar’s people ‘fight for party defense’ to protect their lives from illegal military forces”
Q. The National Unification Government announced the establishment of the Citizens’ Defense Force (PDF) in May and started the armed struggle. Could you please elaborate on whether the armed struggle is still going on in various parts of Myanmar?
A. The military forces illegally usurped the government and committed acts such as violence, killing, and arrest against the people. All human beings have the right to self-defense in the face of oppression, killing, and violence. You are exercising your right to self-defense. Should we just stand still as we face oppression, violence, and death? That is why each Myanmar citizen uses the right to self-defense. I would like to say that the people are responding to the oppression by the military in various places in Myanmar according to their right to self-defense. People all over Myanmar are doing that.
Q. You mentioned defense struggle in the sense of civil self-defense. Could you please introduce a specific case that occurred recently?
A. For example, in areas such as Chin and Kaya, and in some areas, the military oppresses people who live peacefully and normally in many ways. Torture and coercive arrests are being carried out, but people can’t just stand up and think that they are fighting for defense with their weapons in the end. This is not violence. Citizens protect their lives and property. I want to say that.
“Even if the viper escapes, the viper… The military and the international community are trying to deceive the international community by setting up a transitional government and announcing the general election”
Q. On the 1st, Commander-in-Chief Min Hlaing announced that the general election would be held later than promised and that the military emergency rule would be extended to at least two years and six months. Even if the general election is held in 2023 as the commander-in-chief predicted, there are concerns that it will be held in an absolutely favorable situation for the military. What kind of effort is the NUG doing to prevent this, and what kind of help do you think the international community should give?
A.
The military has only changed its appearance. Even if a poisonous snake escapes, its essence is a poisonous snake. We would like to say so. And the words of the military are always unbelievable. Historically, the words of military leaders are rife with lies. They are trying to deceive, intimidate, and moderately or strongly control the people. The military formed a transitional government. This is cheating in order to change the perception of the international community. Our people don’t believe it. The NUG government is also wary of this. I don’t trust you. The international community needs to exert pressure and help in many ways so that Myanmar can be quickly liberated from the military dictatorship and follow the path of democracy. The international community must apply economic pressure. I’m in Korea, so I’ll take Korea as an example.
“Korean companies temporarily suspend investment and withhold tax payment, please cooperate”
I would like to say to Korean companies that have invested in Myanmar to temporarily suspend their investment in the current situation and to withhold taxes to be paid to the Myanmar government. This is because the taxes and investments that businessmen pay are the same as buying weapons to oppress and kill the people for military forces. So, I would like to ask business people to temporarily stop investing. However, this is not a request to leave Myanmar. I’m telling you to temporarily stop. And the South Korean government also needs to exert pressure to stop cooperation with the military. Korean NGOs should also help. Of course, we are still helping. Another is to release the leaders of prisoners of conscience, including the detained state adviser Aung San Suu Kyi and President Yun Min, in order to quickly restore democracy in Myanmar, and transfer the people’s power to the people quickly. This is the most important.
Myanmar, suffering from military dictatorship, Corona 19, and economic hardship… “Humanitarian aid needed”
Q. As you said before, if there is anything you would like to say to the Korean people and the government, including humanitarian aid, please tell us.
A. Currently, the people of Myanmar are in the worst situation. The same goes for the inhumane behavior of the military. Every day there are people who suffer and die from COVID-19. In particular, what I want to say is that I would like to ask for your continued support to Myanmar from a humanitarian perspective. Myanmar in general has a lot of needs. You’ve helped me a lot in the past, so I’m very grateful for that. I hope that the Korean people will continue to help in the future.
Q. The agreements made by ASEAN to resolve the Myanmar crisis are still not being implemented properly. What kind of response do you think the international community needs the most?
A. The most important thing is to continue to recognize Ambassador Chomotun as the UN ambassador at the UN General Assembly to be held soon, and to recognize the NUG government, the official government of Myanmar, as the official government. Besides being recognized as an official government, there are many other requirements. Reforms are also needed in the direction of democracy. Even if the military dictatorship is over and the civilian government takes power again, Myanmar has many shortcomings. Because it is necessary to restore the lives, livelihoods and jobs of people destroyed in such a short period of time. That is why I want to say that everything is necessary for the re-establishment of the country.
“Military dictatorship will end soon… Justice will triumph in the end”
Q. Please send a message to the people of Myanmar who are suffering in the local area, but are enduring with strength to the end.
A.
The military dictatorship is sure to end soon. The people of Myanmar have endured many hardships until now and are resisting the military. We Myanmar citizens abroad are also working hard to provide necessary support and assistance in Myanmar.
In the battle between justice and injustice, in the end, justice wins. Because injustice is a law that will end, I want to convey the message that we Myanmar people are not discouraged but persevere and fight.
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