[Myanmar Civil Society Interview Series] ① “After One Year+ Since the Coup, We Must Prepare for Sustainable Democracy in Myanmar”

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dLS3c4Z18U

The <Strengthening Myanmar Civil Society Capacity Building> project planned the civil society interview series 'Myanmar Again,' which features the stories of Korean and Myanmar civil society activists who have supported Myanmar's civil disobedience movement over the past year. Wai Nwe Hnin Soe, leader of the Youth Alliance for Myanmar, points out that the methods of supporting Myanmar's democratization movement should not be limited to one-dimensional and short-term approaches such as fundraising or participating in SNS verification shot campaigns. She emphasizes the importance of developing programs for psychological counseling and grassroots movement leader training, as well as compiling and recording a diary of resistance and solidarity for a sustainable democracy in Myanmar, and presents the future activity plans of the Youth Alliance for Myanmar.

Introduction of Interviewee

■ Wai Nwe Hnin Soe (Kang Seon-woo)— One of the leaders of the Youth Alliance for Myanmar. She graduated from the Department of Korean Language at Mandalay University of Foreign Languages and obtained Master's and Doctoral degrees in Korean Language and Literature from Yonsei University Graduate School. She has worked as an interpreter for Korean-Myanmar language at KOTRA Myanmar Ministry of Commerce Public Official Training, KDI School of Public Policy and Management (MDI) Joint Research Capacity Building, Global Skilled Human Resources Development Institute Myanmar High-Level Public Official Training, and Human Resources Development Service of Korea. She also served as a local language instructor for World Friends NGO volunteers and as a writer and instructor for the Asian Hub Myanmar language program.

■ In Charge and Edited by: Jun Ju-hyun— EAI Researcher

Contact: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 204) | jhjun@eai.or.kr

Video Script

Hello, my name is Wai Nwe Hnin Soe. In Korean, my name is Kang Seon-woo. I am currently leading an organization in Korea called the Youth Alliance for Myanmar, where I play a leadership role. The Youth Alliance for Myanmar was formed by young people residing in Korea after the coup occurred. I myself was studying in Korea and working part-time as a Korean-Myanmar interpreter and translator before the coup. I never imagined that this work would be so helpful during the coup. For example, when the coup happened on February 1st, the news about the coup was being reported by overseas media. Therefore, most of the Myanmar news reported in Korea at the beginning of the coup was based on reports from overseas media, meaning from countries like the United States or Western countries.

It was being re-translated into Korean and disseminated in Korea. So, I used my translation and interpretation skills to translate and interpret everything that was happening in Myanmar in real-time. If I couldn't interpret, I would translate the documents. I sent these translations to everyone I knew. I sent them to journalists on my contact list, regardless of whether they were interested or not. I also sent them to organizations I knew, with a message to investigate what was happening in Myanmar.

Another point is that people like me, who can speak both Myanmar and Korean, played a crucial role in this coup. Since I have a network in Korea, I shared information about what was happening in Myanmar with everyone I knew. I believe that this led to more active participation from Korean citizens and individuals than in other countries. Our organization, the Youth Alliance for Myanmar, along with the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar, Jogyesa Temple, and others, jointly organized protests against the coup, vigils for the victims, and campaigns like prostrations in front of the Myanmar Embassy.

During these activities, we simultaneously conducted live broadcasts. Our goal was to send a message to Korea that both Myanmar residents in Korea and Korean citizens were supporting Myanmar. By showing these activities through live broadcasts, we often received immediate feedback through comments expressing gratitude. Also, our organization, the Youth Alliance for Myanmar, initially operated through a Facebook page. It was early in the morning. I would wake up, have a cup of coffee, sit in front of my computer, and check the news. That's when I saw the BBC report about the coup in Myanmar. I was skeptical at first, but I confirmed it with a professor in Korea who specializes in Myanmar.

He confirmed that it was true. After investigating further, I found that Myanmar was indeed in a state of chaos. My acquaintances in Myanmar were also unsure, but it was confirmed by 5 AM Korean time. The coup was a shock. There was a coup in 1988 as well, and I was young then. I only knew about it through the news, so I didn't feel it directly. I thought this coup would also pass quickly.

However, after just one day, and especially from the second day onwards, the military's actions and statements became increasingly brutal. The speed of their brutality was astonishing. It was a period that I truly felt and experienced as a nightmare. Just four days after the coup, the representative of the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar called me.

I received the call and was told that a coup had occurred in Myanmar and that young people living in Korea should gather and organize something. Since I have a child, I hesitated at first. But I decided to participate. To be honest, that was my initial thought. However, I had limitations, especially being pregnant. So, I decided to observe for a while longer. Following the representative's suggestion, I met with two other coup participants at a coffee shop to discuss what we should do. The representative explained that this coup was not a minor issue but a very serious one. He emphasized that if we, as residents in Korea, did not take action through grassroots movements, we could not prevent such events. He proposed that just as the people of Myanmar were fighting, we in Korea should also support them. This led to the formation of the Youth Alliance for Myanmar.

Given the representative's experience and guidance, we decided to engage in grassroots activities in Korea. Our mindset was to take action, even if it was small. For example, in the early stages, we collaborated with a historical teachers' association. They would invite us to give lectures on the Myanmar situation, and through them, teachers across the country learned about us.

After these lectures, we would visit high schools and talk about the current situation in Myanmar during history classes. This created a channel for Korean students to learn about Myanmar and to show solidarity. We also participated in interviews with media outlets and collaborated with other civil society organizations. We have been actively involved in any initiative that allows for solidarity.

One of our significant activities was a memorial service for the victims of the coup. In the early days, Myanmar was in turmoil, and people were emotionally and physically exhausted, making it difficult to hold memorial services. Although it is still difficult, we, along with the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar and Jogyesa Temple, held memorial services and organized marches to the Myanmar Embassy. I also participated in media interviews and wrote columns to raise awareness about the situation in Myanmar. High school teachers also joined in solidarity.

Recently, the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar and the Youth Alliance for Myanmar jointly organized a talk show featuring representatives of ethnic minorities. This was because the media coverage in Korea had diminished, and we felt it was important to raise awareness again. The term 'Ose-jip-ji' (오체투지), a Tibetan form of prostration, involves laying down one's body and mind in prayer. The meaning behind it is to surrender oneself to the divine.

Our intention was to unite with the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar and Jogyesa Temple. We felt that our suffering in Korea was only a fraction of the pain endured by the people of Myanmar. Ose-jip-ji, while physically painful, is a momentary suffering. The suffering in Myanmar, however, involves risking one's life. Compared to that, our suffering, though undertaken with great determination, is incomparable.

Therefore, we organized a march from the Myanmar Embassy to the UN office in Jongno, covering about 6 kilometers. Although I couldn't participate in the Ose-jip-ji myself due to my pregnancy, I broadcasted it live with our members, the representative, and the monks. This live broadcast conveyed our solidarity and commitment.

The act of enduring physical hardship and engaging in prayer, even in Korea, resonated deeply with the people of Myanmar. The prayers were offered for the citizens of Myanmar. The broadcast received a significant number of views, and we received many messages expressing gratitude from Myanmar citizens, acknowledging that Korean citizens were standing with them.

A related article was published, which you can refer to. The coup has become prolonged. Therefore, we must consider how to continue our solidarity during this period, but the Youth Alliance for Myanmar is also thinking about the post-coup era. This is because those living abroad, studying abroad, will eventually return to their home countries. As mentioned earlier, the residents there have a desire for grassroots movements and other forms of activism. Therefore, the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar has been conducting educational programs until last month.

We believe this should not be viewed as a short-term issue. We have been educating ourselves on grassroots movements, drawing on the extensive experience and knowledge available in Korea, including areas such as human rights, democracy, and the history of civil movements. We have invited experts and professionals in these fields to conduct educational sessions. This program concluded last month. As the coup is prolonged and the consciousness of our citizens needs to be raised,

we believe we can overcome this monster called a coup. Therefore, last month, we concluded our educational program on grassroots movements with the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar. In the first half of next year, we plan to offer similar educational opportunities. We are collaborating with the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar and are looking at the long term, including the post-coup era. Additionally, if opportunities arise, the members of the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar plan to undergo training in psychological counseling. This is because, while life in Korea is difficult, the suffering of the people in Myanmar must be far greater.

If life here is hell, then life there must be ten times worse. Therefore, we intend to provide psychological counseling to our members first, learn from it, and then share this experience with the people of Myanmar, either online or in person. While we may not be able to provide extensive treatment, we hope to offer some comfort and solace. We had planned to gather soon to reflect on our journey, but it has been postponed. However, we will reorganize it online and continue our leadership training and psychological counseling programs. Furthermore, media attention in Korea has waned.

However, we will continue to actively inform the international community about the situation in Myanmar. Our members at the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar are translating news from Myanmar. Even if it's difficult to call it a 'daily routine,' when news breaks, our members translate it. Then, we at the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar organize and compile this information.

This is because if there is no record, it will eventually disappear, and we will be forgotten. By recording and reorganizing this information, we can learn from the past and prevent such events from happening in the future. This is our role. Therefore, we at the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar and the Overseas Support Group for Myanmar are preparing to do what we can. For example, there are over 300 victims. While we cannot record every detail like a lawyer, the current coup is different from past coups. The power of the internet is growing.

Therefore, unlike in the past, more people in Myanmar are documenting the situation. Previously, there was almost no such documentation, but now, lists of companies associated with the military and its allies are being compiled. There is an app called 'Maju,' which means 'stay away' in Myanmar. This app was created by Generation Z and lists these companies. There is also a website called 'Myanmar Spring News,' which, although not created by us, provides real-time updates on the number of deaths and arrests.

Unlike in the past, when the internet was not as widely accessible, people are now actively using it. Early on, K-pop fans played a significant role. They used platforms like Twitter to ensure that events in Myanmar trended. They helped us reach the top of the trending searches. What I want to say is that everyone is contributing in their own way, using their unique positions.

While this may not consolidate into a single database, I believe it is not impossible. It is possible. Because there are aware citizens. Therefore, we are all determined not to leave behind a dark and painful legacy for our future generations or our children. It has been over 300 days, and soon it will be a year. The people of Myanmar have been protesting the coup every single day since it began.

It has been one year since the coup occurred. Many might think that the protests have subsided, but that is not the case. Even now, people are sacrificing their lives and participating in the movement against the military junta. Although we are psychologically and physically exhausted, the people of Myanmar are determined to continue their struggle. We would be grateful if the citizens of Korea would continue to stand in solidarity with us.

The solidarity I wish to express here is related to global citizenship education. Even if we do not share commonalities, a mature global citizenship consciousness would be of great help to the people of Myanmar. I always tell Korean high school students: Our Earth is one. The concept of 'Global Citizen' means that the coup in Myanmar is not unrelated to us. Korean companies are invested in Myanmar, and issues like labor or resource problems in Myanmar are also Korean issues because Korean companies are involved.

Similarly, the concept of national borders is fading. Therefore, events happening anywhere in the world should be considered our own. With this mature global citizenship consciousness, please view the situation in Myanmar with solidarity. I believe there are many ways to show solidarity. For high school students, rather than financial support, using social media is more effective because we all use social media daily. By sharing information about Myanmar, such as through hashtags like #SaveMyanmar, and spreading it to friends, we can ensure that the world does not forget that the people of Myanmar are still fighting.

We can continue to receive support from the media and other organizations. There are many opportunities to show solidarity according to one's status, position, or profession. If we stand together and offer our support, we would be very grateful.