Government Maintains 'Distance' from Myanmar Amid Coup Bloodshed

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Our government has distanced itself from Myanmar, where a military coup has led to ongoing bloodshed. Along with suspending exports of military supplies, it plans to reconsider civilian cooperation projects.

Earlier, on the 12th, the government stated, "Despite repeated demands from the international community, including our country, numerous casualties have occurred due to the use of force by Myanmar’s military and police authorities."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government has decided to halt new exchanges and cooperation in defense and security sectors with Myanmar.

The Ministry of National Defense suspended regular consultations with Myanmar this year and will not conduct new training programs for Myanmar military officers.

The National Police Agency’s security cooperation agreements (MOU) and new training for Myanmar police are also suspended.

Export permits for industrial strategic materials will be strictly reviewed. This is known to include dual-use items such as chemical substances.

Although there have been no exports of military supplies since January 2019, future exports will be completely prohibited. Tear gas used for riot control is among the items affected. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, domestically produced tear gas was exported to Myanmar in 2014?2015.

ODA projects with Myanmar will also be reconsidered.

Myanmar is a priority cooperation country within ASEAN, accounting for about 25% of the government’s ASEAN-targeted ODA, totaling approximately 90 million USD in 2019, including both grants and loans.

The projects under review include infrastructure such as the 'Korea-Myanmar Friendship Bridge' and the 'Korea-Myanmar Economic Cooperation Industrial Complex' in the capital Yangon.

However, projects directly related to the livelihoods of Myanmar citizens, such as quarantine efforts and humanitarian aid, will continue.

It is unusual for the government to take such strong measures against another country on the grounds of human rights or democracy.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "This reflects how much we value human rights and democracy," adding, "The international community as a whole shares the recognition that extraordinary measures are necessary regarding the situation in Myanmar."

Regarding the possibility of Myanmar responding to these government measures, the official said, "Since many countries have already imposed sanctions, it would be difficult for Myanmar to respond on a one-to-one basis."

Furthermore, the government plans to continue discussions with the international community to coordinate responses to the Myanmar situation.

On the 12th, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong spoke with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and agreed to cooperate for the immediate release of detained individuals, cessation of violence against citizens, and peaceful resolution through legitimate and democratic procedures concerning the Myanmar situation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.