[Photo] Lee Dong-jin, Chair of the Korean Human Rights Cities Council, Declares Support for Myanmar Democratization Movement

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The Korean Human Rights Cities Council (Chairman Lee Dong-jin, Dobong-gu Mayor) held a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on the 5th in front of the Embassy of Myanmar in Korea to condemn the inhumane atrocities committed by the Myanmar military forces and to strongly express support and solidarity with the Myanmar people who are fighting for democracy.

On this day, Chairman Lee Dong-jin of the Korean Human Rights Cities Council and representatives of member cities urged the Myanmar military to immediately stop the massacre of its people.

At the event where the ‘Declaration of Support for the Myanmar Democratization Movement’ was announced, Council Chairman Lee Dong-jin, Dobong-gu Mayor, was joined by Moon Seok-jin, Seodaemun-gu Mayor; Lee Seung-ro, Seongbuk-gu Mayor; Jung Won-oh, Seongdong-gu Mayor; Park Seung-won, Gwangmyeong Mayor; and Kim Jeong-sik, Michuhol-gu Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City.

Following the statement, at the subsequent press conference, Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, Seoul, emphasized, “Violence and human rights violations that threaten human life and dignity cannot be justified for any reason. Just as our country gained democracy through the sacrifice of citizens during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, I believe that Myanmar’s democratization movement will ultimately prevail. Let us all pay attention to and support the difficult struggle of Myanmar’s democratization movement and join in international solidarity.”

Meanwhile, the ‘Korean Human Rights Cities Council’ is a human rights consultative body formed for policy exchange and mutual cooperation among local governments nationwide to protect and promote human rights. It was launched in 2017 and, as of 2021, local governments across the country have been cooperating to realize human rights cities.

Chairman Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu, Seoul, led efforts to realize a human rights city by fully revising the Dobong-gu Human Rights Ordinance in May 2019 and opening the Dobong-gu Human Rights Center, a dedicated organization for remedying human rights violations, in October 2019. On June 1, 2020, at the Korean Human Rights Cities Council’s regular general meeting, he was recognized for his efforts and elected as the 2nd Chairman of the Korean Human Rights Cities Council.

On this day, the ‘Korean Human Rights Cities Council’ announced a joint statement regarding the current situation where serious human rights violations are occurring, including the sacrifice of hundreds of ordinary Myanmar citizens and children due to indiscriminate violence by the Myanmar military forces. The council stated that it prepared this meaningful event to share the noble cause of the Myanmar democratization movement and to appeal for nationwide support.

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