Since 2021, there have been people struggling for democracy. These are the people of Myanmar. To overturn the election result, where the National League for Democracy (NLD) won in 2020, the Myanmar military staged a coup on Feb. 1, 2021. About 2 years ago, CBT covered Myanmar’s civil war. At that time, the Presidential Office of the National Unity Government (NUG) participated in an interview to highlight Myanmar’s situation and have helped for democracy. However, the conflict is still ongoing more cruelly. 

  Recently, the military regime has enforced a compulsory conscription for both men and women. In response, many youths have escaped the country or hidden in the jungles, joining the People’s Defense Force (PDF) to resist military oppression.

  At the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Commemorative Summit held in Laos on Oct. 9, 2024, discussions were held on specific actions to end the civil war led by Myanmar’s military. However, no concrete solutions were come up with. In this situation, senseless massacres are continuing. According to a report by Myanmar Now on Oct. 14, 2024, twelve civilians were killed by an airstrike of the military junta in Madaya, Mandalay Region, on Friday, Oct. 11. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), 5,851 people died from military attacks across the country, including 1,236 women and 653 children from Jan. 1 to Oct. 16, 2024. On average, about 20 people die every day, and 27,558 are currently detained by the military regime.

  As the civil war continues, the people of Myanmar are having difficulties in getting some basic necessities, including healthcare. Because of restriction of medical support, many citizens injured by the conflict cannot receive proper medical treatment. For example, on April 15, an office and pharmacy of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Buthidaung, Rakhine State—home to a large population of Rohingya—were set on fire.

  Some Myanmar citizens are now even selling their organs to survive. On Aug. 30. CNN reported that, “An investigation conducted by CNN since 2023 uncovered that people of Myanmar are selling their organs to rich people through Facebook. Even if selling organs is illegal, they travel to India for organ sales and transplants.” The report added, “As we roamed hospitals, we saw Myanmar patients that all had the same 4-inch scars on their abdomen.”

  Frontier Myanmar, one of Myanmar’s publications, also reported, “The 2015 Kidney Donation Law prohibits the sale of organs in Myanmar. However, since the 2021 coup, financial difficulties by economic chaos have led to a rise in posts on social media groups from kidney donors and recipients.” It continued, “To sell kidneys, they go to India and claimed that they are a relative of the patient.”

  To better understand the situation of Myanmar citizens in the civil war, a CBT reporter interviewed SOE MOE THU, the director of the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG)’s Korea Representative Office.

  Myanmar has been in a state of lawlessness since the coup. The worse economic situation has led to an increase in crimes, including theft, robbery, online scams, human trafficking, and drug dealing. Food prices have skyrocketed, and the number of refugees and homeless people have rapidly increased. In addition, the coup military inspects and arrests innocent citizens whenever they wish. They fabricate charges and demand money for release. Furthermore, the military is using most of the country’s foreign currency to purchase weapons for their war against the resistance.

  The NUG’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management is conducting relief efforts to support civilians affected by the war and arson attacks. The NUG Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Myanmar’s UN Ambassador, are informing to the international community about the junta’s inhumane repression and war crimes. However, as the NUG is not recongized as the official government, they could not get international humanitarian aid. This makes it difficult to adequately support hundreds of thousands of people. Furthermore, Myanmar’s UN ambassador does not have the right to speak directly at UN meetings and it makes it hard for them to convey the true situation Myanmar civilians are experiencing.

  Thankfully, South Korea, having experienced painful history of military dictatorship, is helping Myanmar’s democratic movement more than other countries. The people of Myanmar are currently fighting for democracy and even giving up their lives. International attention and support are crucial. I earnestly ask South Korean students for their solidarity and support.

  South Korea is the country showing the greatest interest and support for Myanmar’s civil war among all. Since 2021, the South Korean government has implemented special humanitarian stay measures for Myanmar nationals living in South Korea, allowing them to stay without visa expiration until the situation in Myanmar stabilizes. Additionally, on April 28, 2021, a civic group called the “Myanmar Network” was established by the Naver Café, Miyabiz. This group is actively engaged in activities such as emergency relief efforts for Myanmar and humanitarian support for the democratization process, including supporting and managing the Korea Safe Zone (KSZ) refugee camp. It is recommended for students who wish to participate in supporting Myanmar to engage in activities through the Miyabiz Café, which continues to support the operation of refugee camps and emergency relief efforts.

  Myanmar and South Korea have long been countries that support each other. During the Korean War in 1950, Myanmar provided military supplies to Korea under their original name, Burma. As Myanmar helped South Korea during a difficult time, raising awareness in their situation will provide significant strength to the people of Myanmar. The CBT reporter sincerely hopes that Myanmar can enjoy peace and freedom in the near future.

By Lee Seo-young 

seoyeongi619@chungbuk.ac.kr