There are people watching this situation in Korea, far from Myanmar. Yan Na Ying-tun, head of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance (NLD) Korea, ponders twelve times a day, “I have to return to Myanmar right now.” Recently, I can’t sleep at night, and even if I fall asleep, I wake up more frequently.
Yan Na Ying-tun, the head of the branch, looking at the non-violent protests led by Myanmar youth, is full of urgency, anguish, and guilt. On the evening of the 8th, I met him at a Buddhist temple in Myanmar near Bupyeong Station. Mr. Won Lai from Myanmar came to interpret the interview.
“Myanmar citizens are determined to see the end this time”
-One month has passed since the military coup in Myanmar took place. How are you.
“I am keenly aware of the situation in Myanmar by reading Facebook, the Internet, and foreign news. I am worried about my mother and friends in Myanmar. I am working on cutting wood furniture to make (in Korea), but I can’t get the job done. There is nothing interesting since the coup broke out. I can’t sleep until dawn. I was told that democracy would start in Myanmar in 2015, but I’m worried that it will go back to the past.”
-How are you seeing the current situation in Myanmar?
“Something that shouldn’t have happened. Myanmar’s military went through a coup in violating their constitution in 2008. I can’t understand. All the people are protesting with the determination to see an end to settle democracy in Myanmar this time. I’m on the way.”
-Why are you saying’I’ll see the end this time’?
“My father fought for the democratization of Myanmar in 1962. In 1988, generations like me once again fought for the democratization of Myanmar. But that hasn’t changed. As a result of the long rule of the military, no matter how hard the people work now, no matter how hard they work. It has become a country that cannot live well, because the military is taking all of Myanmar’s wealth, and as democratization has progressed since the NLD won the general election in 2015 and took power, a new generation has learned about democracy. No. It is the opinion of the people that they will see the end this time.”
“The reason why Aung San Suu Kyi was not prepared for the coup is because of the constitution created by the military
|
View Larger Picture |
|
| ▲ March 3-4 in Myanmar, where the “citizen disobedience movement” against the military coup is taking place every day. This is a picture taken and sent by “Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA)”, a group of local photographers. | |
| Ⓒ MPA |
See related photos |
-What does it mean to say that the military is taking all the wealth?
“Isn’t Korea also experienced military dictatorship. I know that the dictatorship of Korea has taken care of itself while also working for the people. But the Myanmar military only works for itself. Not only does the country freely use the taxes it receives, but also He is also taking donations from social organizations and the money he receives from the temple, and he said, “I will borrow money from Sakyamuni for a while because the government’s finances are difficult.”
In addition, a corona vaccine was recently received from India through the efforts of advisor Aung San Suu Kyi, which was also robbed by the military. So, those who received the first vaccination are unable to take the second vaccination. The military is using all of Myanmar’s wealth for themselves.”
-There have been several coups in Myanmar. Why couldn’t shame torture prepare for this?
“Because of the constitution created by the military in 2008. In Myanmar, 25% of the members of the National Assembly are taken by the military regardless of election. The general commander of the military unit, not the president, has the power of command, and the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Home Affairs are appointed by the general commander.
Since it is a wrong constitution, there have also been attempts to amend it. Although 60% agreed, it was frustrated by the military-appointed 25% of lawmakers and members from the military. The shame adviser tried all of this in a peaceful way to avoid social conflict in Myanmar, but was unsuccessful.”
Director Yan Na Ying-tun came to Korea in 1991 through Thailand without a visa. This is because in 1988, at the age of 19, he led the Myanmar democratization movement, which led to him being chased by the military. In 2005, he was officially recognized as a refugee by the Korean government. He thought of returning to Myanmar after the NLD took office in 2015, but he couldn’t. The military was in control of all important government positions. He said it was unlikely that the military, which was grasping the activities he had done in Korea, would let him stand still.
“Young people are dying, we need to consider sending UN troops”
|
View Larger Picture |
|
| ▲ March 3-4 in Myanmar, where the “citizen disobedience movement” against the military coup is taking place every day. This is a picture taken and sent by “Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA)”, a group of local photographers. | |
| Ⓒ MPA |
See related photos |
-What do you feel when you see the democratization protests in Myanmar?
“As a senior who played a democratization movement, it is sinful that I am not currently playing a proper role. My young friends are going out on the streets for democratization, and I have to worry about having to go back (to Myanmar). But hopefully, the protests they are doing in the past are our past. It’s better than the generations do.”
-You mean the way of protesting is better?
“It means that the way they express their opinions, the style of protesting is different. In the past 1988, for example, when protesters protested, they actually fought with the military. If they could take guns from soldiers, they did so. Avoid going to violent protests. Did not do it.
But now, young friends are stopping the spread of violent protests. The whole atmosphere is self-adjusted, and once the military shoots, it avoids once and then gathers again at the protest site after a while. It is striving to continue the peaceful demonstration without colliding with the military.
The idea is also excellent. It is not just shouting slogans. Many people are crossing the crosswalk and suddenly stop in the middle, and all of them lie down at the same time and tie their shoelaces. Also, cars drive on the road and stop at the same time. Then he got off and said the car broke down. He also leaves his intention to donate his body when he dies with his blood type inscribed on his body. It’s a great way of protesting, really different from our generation.”
-What are your wishes for Korean society?
“Korea is a country that has experienced dictatorship in the past. I think you will know the feelings of the citizens of Myanmar well. Let the world know and pay attention to all these things that are happening in Myanmar. President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun Iwa I know it was mentioned in relation to it. Gyeonggi Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myeong also met us in person on the 2nd. These efforts are all helpful to us.”
-Some say that the UN troops should be sent to Myanmar.
“At present, the protesters do not have guns. But the military is attacking the protesters with guns. What if the UN forces came in and told the military,’You shouldn’t do this.’ No one wants troops from other countries to enter their country. But now, young friends who will become the future of Myanmar are dying. It is a matter of considering the dispatch of UN forces to minimize civil damage. There is no other way.”
-Is there anything else the neighboring countries witnessing the situation in Myanmar should remember?
“Please remember and support the Myanmar Federal Parliamentary Representative Committee (CRPH). CRPH is an emergency organization formed by an emergency resolution in early February by 298 Myanmar lawmakers who lost their positions in the coup d’état. It is like a provisional government against the Myanmar military forces. CRPH has defined the military administration as a’terrorist group’, and hopes that CRPH will be recognized by the international community.”
Jan Na Ying-tun’s guilt and request
|
View Larger Picture |
|
| ▲ March 3-4 in Myanmar, where the “citizen disobedience movement” against the military coup is taking place every day. This is a picture taken and sent by “Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA)”, a group of local photographers. | |
| Ⓒ MPA |
See related photos |
At the end of the interview, I watched a photograph of the local situation in Myanmar with Yan Na Ying-tun branch manager (related article: Myanmar’s bleeding scream “People will win” http://omn.kr/1sc8f). As he looked at photos of the funeral of a citizen who died in the military’s shooting, his expression suddenly became dark. The head of Yan Na Ying-tun, who was looking at the picture, said, “I can’t see it anymore,” and returned the mobile phone to the reporter. Finally, I left the following words.
“We did not succeed in the democratization protest in 1988, so now the young people in Myanmar are preparing for death and protesting. I am so sorry that I have not been able to be with you while in Korea. I can’t sleep with guilt. Myanmar’s protesting I want to tell you all, including young people, protest, avoid dangerous behavior, and be safe. Don’t be sacrificed anymore to the armed forces of the military. You are the future of Myanmar.”
Additional text | This article is also published in Gyeonggi Multicultural News.