This is Ms. Bom Nway Oo (pseudonym), the third person I met among the Myanmar strike officials staying in Korea. Bom Noweu is a Myanmar central government official who came to Korea and is studying for a master's program before the outbreak of the military coup. Like more than 200,000 local civil servants who participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), they are refusing to receive military orders as well as pay salaries. In addition, he is donating some of the scholarships he receives from the Korean government for daily living to the citizens' disobedience movement participants.
"Until the military coup took place, I was having a happy life in Korea," said Bom Nowe. "We are continuing to donate scholarships from the Korean government while we continue to inform the situation in Myanmar through social media," said Bom Noweu.
As soon as the training period ends, he cannot return to his home country, so he has to make a living in Korea. "Some people call the National Unification Government (NUG) just'shadow government'," said Bom Noweu. "There is no doubt that the government will regain state power."
In the meantime, Mr. Noweu said that the Korean people who achieved democracy through the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in 1980 are "respectful". "When I watched the movie'Taxi Driver', I felt a lot of emotions," said Bom Noweu. "The Korean people did not succumb to the military, they won democracy. That's why I respect all Korean people."
Bom Nwew, who is also a member of BTS' fan club Army, says that Korea has become better thanks to the Korean government participating in the sanctions movement against the military and the Korean people helping the Myanmarians in both directions. "I want to say thank you so much for the support from President Moon Jae-in and all the people of Korea," said Bom Noweu. "I am happy to see your support for Myanmar through various activities every day. We are Koreans. Kindness will always be kept in our hearts." He said, "I would like to ask the Korean government to support the National Integration Government and continue to help the people of Myanmar in the future."
The following is the full text of an interview with Mr. Noueu in the spring from May 6th to 13th. For the personal safety of the person concerned and his/her family, the interview was conducted under a pseudonym and did not contain specific instructions from the ministry and military.
Q. Hello, Mr. Noweu in spring. Prior to the interview, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims of the Myanmar army, their families and friends. And thank you for responding to the interview in difficult situations.
A. Thank you.
Q. Could you introduce yourself first?
A. Yes, I am studying master's program in Korea.
As a public official of the central government of Myanmar, I am currently in Korea as a trainee.
Q. I heard that Mr. Noweu is also participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in Korea and participating in the strike, just like the local strike officials in Myanmar.
A. Yes, I have been participating in the democratization movement (citizen disobedience movement) since the military coup on February 1 to bring out the democratic government and take power.
I remember clearly.
The moment when I woke up at the time my friend delivered this terrible news in Myanmar.
I couldn't get out of the shock for 3-4 days at that time.
When I heard this news, the thoughts that came to mind were,'The whole country will be in trouble,''We need to prepare to get our country back from the military'.
So I started to convey this idea to all my friends around me.
I made up my mind by considering myself not only a master's student, but also a revolutionary.
And I started fighting from afar through social media like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Also, I invited my fellow public officials to gather together to join the movement for the sake of our country and the people.
They also donated to all protesters who are resisting the military in Myanmar.
Q. Did the military know about your participation in the civil disobedience movement?
A. I'm not sure about that. However, it doesn't matter to me whether the military knows or doesn't know I'm participating in the civil disobedience movement. It is important that individuals or everyone else have to resist this coup. If you can participate in a protest, you can go to the protest scene. If you have money, donations can empower young protesters across the streets of the country.
Q. As you just said, you are in a situation where you donate even though you are not getting paid.
A. Yes. But not many.
Q. How are you communicating with your family in Myanmar?
A. The military shut down the Internet in Myanmar a few weeks ago. So it became difficult to keep in touch with my friends and family. And my family, my parents, are not familiar with technology. And only 10% of people in Myanmar have internet access. This is because the military has cut off the internet on mobile phones.
Q. Then you may not be able to contact your family often.
A. Yes, I can't reach you. I can call my family on my mobile phone, but (international calls) are very expensive. One call came three weeks ago. In February, all connections were lost, so I couldn't get in touch with my family at all.
Q. You are saving scholarships and donating to the citizens' disobedience campaign participants even though you cannot ask for the welfare of your family because of the high international phone charges. great. Do you think public officials' participation in the civil disobedience movement really works?
A. Yes. I think the civil disobedience movement is really effective because it hurts the military. Civil disobedience movements can halt all operating systems of illegal governments. The military cannot get civil servants to work. And the banking system is also nearly broken, and people are also boycotting businesses related to the military. So everything is now in chaos, and the military is out of control. So I think the civil disobedience movement is an effective movement to bring down the military.
Q. What threats have you faced by the military as a result of your decision to participate in the civil disobedience movement? If you have ever felt such a threat, please tell us in detail.
A. Even in Korea, it is difficult for me to participate in the restoration of democracy in our country. There are many rumors that the military can fire me and get rid of my passport or prosecute me when I return to Myanmar. And military thugs will threaten my family as well.
I will finish my master's program sooner or later. Then the military will blacklist me. If that really happens, I will no longer be able to return to my home country. Many of the examples mentioned above are actually happening in our country. So I have to be prepared for all these threats that may come to me.
Q. I heard that you will soon finish your master's course and return to Myanmar soon. But right now, isn't it a situation where you can't go back to Myanmar?
A. That's right. Now I need to reconsider going back home. Because I am involved in the civil disobedience movement, I could be arrested if I return to my home country.
Q. Do you want the Korean government to do something for you and your civil servant colleagues in the civil disobedience movement?
A. That's a good question. thank you. As mentioned earlier, it will be dangerous to return to Myanmar after training. Because it is not safe for everyone, including me. So I have to stay here until the democratic government finds its place. I don't know if I can use my passport if the military gets rid of my passport. I want to stay legally in Korea. Legally. I am a trainee. I am afraid of becoming an illegal immigration status.
It is impossible to stay in Korea without my regular income, job or work. The cost of living in Korea is on the high side.
* As a result of confirmation by the Ministry of Justice of Korea, all Myanmar residents in Korea, regardless of visa holders, are subject to humanitarian special stay measures. The interviewees were also informed that they could apply for an extension of their stay at the immigration office within one month of their visa expiration.
Q. What do you think is the most effective way to eradicate the military? And why?
A. I would like to share my opinion as a young man in Myanmar. Now I think you have to fight them with your weapons. Korea has been oppressed by military dictatorship for about 70 years. Political dialogue no longer works. Ten years ago, we started to gain limited freedom. But it was only partial democracy because the military was still involved in politics. And the military overthrew the democratically elected government and seized power on February 1st. The country is in chaos, the economy is crumbling, and thousands of innocent people have been mercilessly arrested and tortured. As you all know, close to 800 people were brutally slaughtered. We do not want to leave this foolish military regime as a legacy for future generations. We want to completely eradicate military dictatorship in our time. We will be the last generation to witness a military coup. This is why I made this choice on my knees.
Q. What do you think of the help of the international community such as ASEAN, G7, and the United Nations?
A. Honestly, I don't think ASEAN and the United Nations can interfere with the military's criminal activity at all. I'm not sure what statement was made about the G7 meeting. U.S. sanctions do work, but they also cannot stop military thugs from committing crimes. Since the people of Myanmar are already saying that the National Unified Government (NUG) is a true government, the international community should support the National Unified Government (NUG) more effectively. National Unified Government support is one of the best ways to support the people of Myanmar.
Q. In addition to supporting the National Unified Government, what do you think is an effective international response that is helpful to the current situation in Myanmar?
A. The military brutally quelled the protesters who carried out peaceful protests and killed numerous innocent people. As far as I know, close to 800 people were killed, including children. And thousands of people are being arrested and tortured across the country. Thousands of ethnic minorities have fled to neighboring countries such as India and Thailand due to military air raids. So I would like to ask the international community to come up with more effective protection measures for the people of Myanmar. Recent sanctions cannot stop Myanmar's military atrocities. The international community also needs to cut off the military's money line based on natural resources such as gas and wood. And after the National Integrated Government has made a plan to eradicate the dictatorship, it is necessary (the international community) to work together.
Q. Do you think the NUG and the National Unified Government have the power to restore democracy? And what do you want from the National Unified Government?
A. Some people call the National Unification Government just the'shadow government', but I don't think so. The National Unified Government is the true government of Myanmar. I support the National Unified Government and will continue to be with you forever. I hope that all officials of the National Unified Government and their families are safe. Even if it may take some time, there is no doubt that the National Unified Government will regain state power.
The National Integration Government is now working with the international community and is supporting ethnic minority refugees in Myanmar. And I heard that the National Unification Government is preparing a plan to provide salary support for public officials who participate in the civil disobedience movement like me. And the National Unified Government recently created the Civil Defense Force (PDF) to protect the innocent people.
Q. Have you ever heard of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in Korea in 1980?
A. Yes, I do. I also watched the movie'Taxi Driver'. I looked deeply impressed. When I watched the movie, I felt a lot of emotions. I really respected it. I really respected it. This is because the Korean people did not succumb to the military, and they achieved democracy. This is why I respect all Korean people.
Q. I heard that Mr. Nyuew in the spring also likes K-pop quite a bit. Are you a member of BTS' fan club Army?
A. Yes, I am BTS ARMY. (Laughter) I'll show you something.
Q. What is it?
A. (Lifting up the night light stick) This is the BTS's cheering stick. (Laughter) I have never been to a concert, but I have it as a commemoration. In fact, before the military coup, I had a really happy life, attending university classes and discussing with our professors. Since my training period is about to end, I also wanted to fill my period of stay in Korea with happy times. However, after the military coup, I couldn't afford to pay attention to my daily routine, including my studies. While continuing to inform the situation of Myanmar through social media, we are continuing our activities to donate scholarships from the Korean government.
In the past, after completing the training, I wanted to return to my home country and devote myself to my country. But in the current situation, I cannot return to my home country. So I have to do something to make my living income. First of all, I want to continue my studies, but for this study, I now have to do something (for a living).
Q. Do you have any last words you would like to say to the Korean government or the Korean people?
A. Thank you for giving me a great opportunity to do an interview. I would like to say thank you so much for the support from the Korean government, President Moon Jae-in, and all the people of Korea. I am happy to see your support for Myanmar through various activities every day. I saw it through social media. And we will always keep their kindness in our hearts. In the future, I would like to ask the Korean government to support the National Unification Government and continue to help the people of Myanmar.
Q. Thank you for responding to the interview request. As one of the supporters of Myanmar's democracy, I hope the spring of Myanmar will come soon.
A. Thank you.
[Continue view of the series]
▶ [Report file] "No need for terrorist money"… Strike in Korea at the risk of their lives
▶ [Report File] "I can't forgive the selfishness of my colleagues on the military side"