ASEAN "Myanmar Military Regime Excluded from Summit"... Warning of Bloody Suppression

Myanmar Protesters Condemn Military Coup

(Yangon AFP=Yonhap News) On the 29th, protesters opposing the military coup in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, are making the three-finger salute as a sign of resistance.
jsmoon@yna.co.kr
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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Junhyung] ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has excluded the Myanmar military government from the summit. Although ASEAN adopted an agreement to peacefully resolve the Myanmar crisis, the Myanmar military continues its violent crackdown.

Brunei, the chair country of ASEAN, announced on the 16th (local time) that it decided not to invite Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the Myanmar military government, to the summit scheduled for the 26th to 28th of this month. Instead of the military government, Brunei will invite a non-political representative from Myanmar to the meeting. This is interpreted as a strong warning to the Myanmar military government. It is a pressure measure urging active participation in resolving the bloodshed triggered by the military coup. The Myanmar military government did not abide by the agreement adopted at the ASEAN special summit in April for the peaceful resolution of the bloodshed caused by the coup earlier this year. Considering ASEAN’s tradition of not pressuring member states or interfering in internal affairs, this announcement is regarded as exceptional.

The Myanmar military claimed the general election held in November last year was fraudulent and staged a coup on February 1st this year. Since then, it has used force to suppress citizens and opposition forces condemning the military coup.

Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief, the 'Coup Leader' Who Delayed the General Election and Became Prime Minister

(Moscow AP=Yonhap News) Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief who seized power by overthrowing the civilian government through a military coup, postponed the general election and appointed himself as prime minister, local media and foreign news agencies reported on the 2nd (local time). In a TV speech marking the 6-month anniversary of the coup the day before, Commander Hlaing stated, "The state of emergency will be lifted by August 2023, and the general election will definitely be held." The military initially announced that the emergency rule period following the coup would last one year. Additionally, the State Administration Council (SAC), the highest military governing body, issued a separate statement announcing that Commander Hlaing would assume the role of prime minister. The photo shows Commander Hlaing during his visit to Russia on June 23.
sungok@yna.co.kr
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In response, representatives of the 10 ASEAN member countries agreed on five points at a special summit on April 24th to peacefully resolve the Myanmar crisis, including an immediate cessation of violence. The agreement, announced as a statement from the ASEAN chair, includes ▲ immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and restraint from all parties ▲ constructive dialogue to find a peaceful solution for the people ▲ mediation of dialogue by the ASEAN chair and secretary-general as special envoys ▲ provision of humanitarian assistance ▲ visits to Myanmar by the special envoys and delegations. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also participated in the agreement as Myanmar’s representative at that time.

However, the Myanmar military government has not stopped its violent crackdown on opposition forces. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Myanmar human rights organization, as of the 15th (local time), 1,178 civilians have lost their lives at the hands of the military and police since the military coup.

The Myanmar military government is also rejecting ASEAN’s mediation efforts. Erywan Yusof, Brunei’s Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN special envoy, requested a meeting with detained adviser Aung San Suu Kyi during his visit to Myanmar but was refused. It is reported that dissatisfaction is spreading among ASEAN member states over the Myanmar military government’s failure to comply with the agreement.

Following this ASEAN decision, the Myanmar military government’s plan to gain legitimacy in the international community has also been stalled. Attention is focused on whether the international community, including the United States, the United Nations (UN), and the European Union (EU), will increase pressure by freezing foreign currency assets and imposing various economic sanctions on the Myanmar military government.

Questions are also being raised about the effectiveness of international pressure, as China and Russia are supporting the Myanmar military government behind the scenes. Unlike Western countries such as the United States, which have condemned the military government that staged the coup and imposed various sanctions, China and Russia are defending the military. China has taken the position that Myanmar’s military rule is an 'internal affair.' Additionally, China and Russia have blocked UN Security Council sanctions against the Myanmar military. China and Russia are also considered Myanmar’s largest arms suppliers.

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