Seoul Supports Myanmar's Shadow Government and Calls for Democracy to Return

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

The South Korean government stated that it will continue to work closely with the international community to restore democracy in Myanmar, as well as with Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG).

The announcement was made in response to a public petition signed by 268,428 people calling on Seoul to express formal support for the NUG and reject the military junta in a statement released on Thursday.

 

South Korea has been one of the countries demonstrating support for the democracy movement and publicly calling for a return to democracy in Myanmar since the Myanmar military took control from the country's democratically elected government in a military coup on Feb. 1.

South Korea was the sixth-largest investor in Myanmar in 2020, during Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's deposed National League for Democracy government.

The South Korean government stated on Thursday that it is working closely with the international community to restore democracy, peace, and stability in Myanmar, and that it will be in “constant communication” with NUG leaders.

 

“The [South Korean] government will continue to make efforts in the future so that the Myanmar crisis can be addressed in a way that meets the people's aspirations,” it stated.

It went on to say that the country supports Myanmar's pro-democracy activists and reiterated its request for the military to end its violence against civilians and release political detainees, including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 1,019 civilians have been slain by junta forces since February, while 7,589 people have been imprisoned, with over 6,000 still being held.

 

The South Korean government has stated that it will continue to work closely with the international community to restore democracy in Myanmar, as well as with Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG).

The announcement was made in response to a public petition signed by 268,428 people for Seoul to show formal support for the NUG and reject the military junta in a statement released on Thursday.

 

South Korea has been one of the countries demonstrating support for the democracy movement and publicly calling for a return to democracy in Myanmar since the Myanmar military took control from the country's democratically elected government in a military coup on Feb. 1.