For the Restoration of Democracy in Myanmar
“Press Release by Asian Buddhists in Korea”
Today is the 49th day of the military coup in Myanmar known as the country of peace and the country of smiles.
A military coup took place in peaceful Myanmar, crushing its liberal democracy down in the 21st century when all mankind pursues freedom, peace and equality. Since then, we have witnessed innocent citizens gunned down by the military on the news and social media day in and day out.
We may not remember their names or where they come from; but we can never forget how they were shot dead and how citizens poured out their anger and sorrow over their horrific deaths.
The Myanmar military has issued warrants for Mr. Soe Moe Thu leading the Korean branch of the Military Dictatorship Resistance Committee and Mr. Yan Naing Htun spearheading the Korean branch of the National League for Democracy (NLD), who are residing in Korea at the moment, on the charges of collecting and delivering donations to Myanmar officials who participated in the civil disobedience movement on March 10. This is evidence that their activities pose a threat to the Myanmar military.
Republic of Korea understands better than anyone else what the people of Myanmar feel today, as we have experienced the May 18th Gwangju People’s Uprising to advocate democracy against the military. South Korean President Moon Jae-in condemned the Myanmar military for the first time among Asian leaders while the National Assembly adopted a resolution expressing support for Myanmar's democratization.
In order for the resolution to be effective, the Korean government and businesses must take strong sanctions, including suspending business with the junta and banning the export of military supplies. These are the practical measure that will help Myanmar, which will further be beneficial to the national interest as well.
Asian Buddhists living in South Korea have gathered here to support the people of Myanmar wishing to restore democracy and convey our commitment to joining forces with them. Monks and Buddhists from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Nepal, and Thailand earnestly plead to the Myanmar military and police, committing crimes against humanity, to stop killing civilians. A person’s life is tens of thousands times more valuable than any amount of money or power.
Asian Buddhists hereby appeal to the leaders of the UN and countries around the world. Saying that “excessive use of violence against protesters is unacceptable” is not enough. We urge you to take actions to prevent any further innocent killings and widespread human rights violations.
We also warn the Myanmar military who are committing brutal and anti-humanitarian killings. The heinous crimes that you have committed, even if they were ordered by your superiors, will be the bad karma that will permanently impact your descendants; your posterity will be ashamed of you for what you have done today.
Remind yourselves that you have once devoted yourselves before the Buddha in your childhood. Restore your conscience and stop killing people. Asian Buddhists aspire to the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. We pray earnestly that the people of Myanmar will never lose courage and hope despite the military’s crackdown and suppression until they regain their most precious freedom.
Praying for the Buddha's Grace on all the people of Myanmar, we ask that the following actions be taken by all the Buddhist temples and Buddhists in Korea.
▶ Each temple shall put a banner praying for the restoration of
democracy in Myanmar at its entrance.
▶ Each temple shall pray, “Please restore democracy in Myanmar”
during the morning prayer.
▶ Please “donate to the democratization movement in Myanmar.”
We condemn the Myanmar junta while strongly asking the leaders of the UN and countries around the world to do the following:
▶ Myanmar’s junta must stop killing innocent people.
▶ The UN must act right away to stop anti-humanitarian killing in Myanmar.
▶ Leaders of all countries around the world must actively support
Myanmar’s democratization.
March 21, 2021
Asian Buddhists in Korea
♣ Bank Account for Donations: The “Myanmar Military Dictatorship
Resistance Committee,” NLDs Korea branch
Nonghyup 312-0031-6030-71. YAN NAING HTUN
♣ Bank Account for Donations: The “Myanmar Democracy Network”
Kookmin Bank 652301-01-703-720 SOE MOE THU