Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Korea begins to raise voice against Myanmar coup, albeit politely
Suh Hoon, the chief of the presidential National Security Office, joins a weekly Cabinet meeting, Tuesday. In a meeting presided by Suh, Thursday, the standing committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) expressed concerns over the Feb. 1 Myanmar coup. Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
Experts still find government's message insufficient
By Yi Whan-woo
The government is beginning to raise its voice against Myanmar, expressing “concern” over the latest coup there and the suppression of pro-democracy protests.
Korea's move is late compared to other advanced countries that have already condemned Myanmar and are taking punitive action after the democratically-elected government of the ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was ousted by the country's military, known as Tatmadaw, Feb. 1.
Some pundits view the Moon Jae-in administration as being too low key, even though more than 420 Korean companies are operating in Myanmar, which could be used as leverage to pressure the military junta.
In a weekly meeting presided over by presidential security adviser Suh Hoon, Thursday, the standing committee of the National Security Council (NSC) said it “expresses concerns over the Myanmar crisis.”
This was the first time for the NSC to make a comment criticizing the coup.
“Korea will cooperate with the international community for Myanmar's constitutional order to be restored peacefully through legal and democratic steps,” the committee said.
It added the government will “seek assurances for the safety of Korean nationals and protection of enterprises in Myanmar.”
On Tuesday, Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun met with Myanmar Ambassador to Korea Thant Sin and “expressed deep concerns over the latest political situation in Myanmar,” according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry said the vice minister called for the “immediate release” of detained Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The military junta is bringing charges against Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in what is seen as an attempt to hold her indefinitely without trial and consolidate its power.
“The vice minister at the same time underscored there should be no violations of the rights of peaceful protesters by respecting the people's passion for democracy as witnessed in the 2015 general election,” the ministry said.
It noted that Korea has supported the democratic transition of Myanmar that underwent decades of military dictatorship before the NLD won the 2015 general election for the first-democratically elected government.
Choi also told the ambassador that Korea is working closely with the international community to help settle the Myanmar crisis. The vice minister asked for the safety of Korean nationals and companies in the Southeast Asian country to be guaranteed.
Demonstrators including Myanmar nationals hold portraits and placards during a protest against the military coup outside the Myanmar Embassy in Paris, Thursday, to demand the release of detained Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. AFP-Yonhap
Experts welcomed the government's measure, pointing out that it is in accordance with the Asia-Pacific alliance goal highlighted by the Joe Biden administration.
But experts also said it still falls short of tougher actions taken by the U.S. and its other allies.
“We still do not see any direct criticism against Min Aung Hlaing and his junta,” Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong Global University, said, referring to the commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw who wielded political influence even before the Feb. 1 coup.
Park said outspoken criticism against Min Aung Hlaing and a demand for the release of Suu Kyi are the two key messages from the U.S.-led allies.
“And the fact that our government misses the first message casts doubt over its willingness to settle the Myanmar crisis,” the professor added.
Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, said the Moon government should have been especially keen about Myanmar, considering President Moon was a human rights lawyer and his government has been backed by former pro-democracy activists.
Park called it a “mere excuse” when asked if the government was being careful about raising its voice against Myanmar to avoid possible retaliation against Korean companies.
“Other countries are pulling out their companies to pressure Myanmar, and I don't see why that can't be the case for Korea,” he said.