ASEAN Secretary-General to Visit Myanmar This Week

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the Myanmar military coup enters its fourth month, the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Secretary-General and others are scheduled to visit Myanmar this week.

Major foreign media outlets reported on the 2nd, citing multiple diplomatic sources, that "ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and Erywan Yusof, the Foreign Minister of Brunei, the ASEAN chair country this year, will visit Myanmar this week."

They added, "There has been no official announcement from the ASEAN Secretariat yet, and there is still a possibility of postponement due to last-minute variables."

Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar who led the coup, agreed at the ASEAN special summit on April 24 to an immediate cessation of violence and a high-level ASEAN visit to the site, but has not implemented these for over a month.

The ASEAN Secretary-General was originally scheduled to visit Myanmar in early last month but the visit did not materialize.

A spokesperson for the State Administration Council (SAC), Myanmar's highest military governing body, stated on the 7th of last month, "ASEAN wants to send a special envoy, but cooperation regarding the envoy will occur once a certain level of security and stability is reached," adding, "Whether to accept ASEAN's proposal depends on the situation in Myanmar."

Therefore, it is uncertain whether the ASEAN Secretary-General and others will actually visit Myanmar this week. Even if they go to Myanmar, it is unclear whether they will meet with military leaders or with detained or hiding democratic leaders.

Since the coup on February 1, 841 civilians have lost their lives in Myanmar.

ASEAN has traditionally adhered to the principle of 'non-interference in internal affairs,' leading to skepticism about whether it can play a proper role in the Myanmar situation. It has faced criticism for the lack of follow-up measures after the special summit in April.

There have even been suspicions as it is known that ASEAN is demanding revisions to a UN General Assembly draft resolution calling for an immediate arms and military supplies embargo against the Myanmar military and urging international action.

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