CBT reporters met Soe Moe Thu who is a human rights activist at Meeting Place in the Sindorim Station. He dressed conservatively and shouldered a guitar. He looked pleasantly simple. Furthermore, he wanted just a glass of water in the coffee shop. He has a good ability in Korean except for the characteristic pronunciation of foreigners. Soe Moe Thu said that he attached basic Korean vocabulary memos around the workplace to memorize them. Soe Moe Thu hopes to live healthier and happier. Reporters can feel his sincere mind through his eyes. -Ed
 
Human rights are worth a jewel
People must do work which they want freely only if they don't harm other people. I think that that is one basic human right. Ten-thousand won bills have the same value whether they are crumpled or unfolded. Everyone is equal regardless of appearance or wealth. All people have human rights.
 
I never knew I would become an activist for rights
 I came to Korea just to earn money not to become a human rights activist. Korea is recognized as 'a democratic state' or 'a rich country' in Burma. I believed that I would have a comfortable life when I got to Korea. However, some Koreans bring immigrant workers into Korea to ridicule and treat them as fools. I was very disappointed at Koreans' rude attitudes. Everybody must receive the fundamental respect and equal treatment. Furthermore, if there is any problem, we should try to point it out and correct it. I began trying to solve the matter concerning human rights of immigrant workers in Korea.
 
My work to protect human rights - 'Burma Action Korea'
 Burma is now an autocratic state as Korea was in the past. The dictatorial government in Burma is committing abuses such as torture, conscription or forced child labor. The purpose of 'Burma Action Korea' is to inform the international community and to be concerned about the current situation of Burma. We distribute a free newspaper named BAK Digest to Burmans all over the country. The major reason for working is to inform about anniversaries and international events in detail. Moreover, we are assisting students and improving their education environment in Burma.
 No one would support human rights if people quit because it is difficult. When people continue to do something, they have responsibility for it. I am continuing the activity about human rights because I feel responsible for the activity. People began calling me a human rights activist considering my continued efforts.
 Some Koreans are also participating in 'Burma Action Korea.' This group interacts with many groups such as the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and the Solidarity for Human Rights. They support us and suggest us what we should do. We are happy thanks to people supporting us.
 
My work to protect human rights - 'Stop Crackdown Band'
 The energies of music are quite powerful. The music can change people's minds easily. In addition, music has a great ability to communicate with each person in any circumstances. Immigrant workers are not working machines. I organized this band with multinational workers to show that immigrant workers are humans who can smile and be pleased. I am a vocalist and guitarist in the 'Stop Crackdown Band'. The meaning of the band's name is 'Don't oppress.' I want to show by using the band's name that no one is qualified to oppress us.
 The band conducts a performance once or twice a month. We usually perform during the weekends because band members should do their work on weekdays. Also, we play band performances around the whole country.
 
Dear valuable young people of our generation
 Korean or Burman is just a name. Koreans and Burmans are humans and the only different thing is where they live. If I could talk to the president, I would tell him to make a world where all people are beloved.
 I cherish young people. Young people's responsibility is greater than the president’s. The president works hard only for his five-year term. However, the university students should bear for their country during their whole lives. I want young people be more concerned with social problems because they will lead this country.
 
An epilogue
 I had hard times living in Korea. Some people who travel abroad suffer from conversation or food problems, so they can easily understand that it is a difficult thing to work in a foreign country. I don't know how long I'll stay in Korea, but I must socialize with people in the country. However, the Koreans ignore us because we are from a poor country. In addition, they assault us and don't often pay for our hard work. If new Korean workers go to an establishment, they can work in a good environment and receive promotions faster than immigrant workers. Also, they give instructions to me even though I have worked there for several years.
 These situations gave me mental pain. Korea needs immigrant workers because Koreans have avoided the 3D jobs recently. I wonder why Koreans treat me rudely even though we work instead of them. I hope that they are affectionate toward immigrant workers as we are also members of the Korean society.