A woman in a black t-shirt with a gun.
On the 11th of last month, on the 100th anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, a photo posted on social media drew the attention of media around the world.
The main character in the photo was Ta Tet Tet (32), who represented Myanmar in the 2013 Miss Grand International contest.
Tat Tet shared the photo on social media at the time, announcing that he had joined an armed group against the military in April.
She has been active as a gymnast instructor, actress, and model with a career as a national gymnast, and is currently receiving military training as part of the Civil Defense Force (PDF) of the democratic camp.
It is not the fake gun you heard when you were an actor, but a real gun to engage in armed struggle training.
I asked Mr. Ta Tett why he had no choice but to engage in the armed struggle in the midst of many paths.
The answer returned was simple.
He said that it was because he could not stop the bloody suppression of the military even though he had done everything he could, including participating in the civil disobedience movement.
"I was concerned that all these sacrifices would be in vain if the military did not fight with guns, which is the only language the military could understand," said Ta Tet Tet.
Mr. Ta Tett said that more and more people are joining the civil defense force of the Democratic camp of Myanmar like him, and he appealed to us, "Please continue to cheer and support us in the future."
In particular, when asked about the effective support of the international community, they asked for cooperation, saying that the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Myanmar was recognized as the only legitimate government in Myanmar and that it would suspend trade with the Myanmar military.
Regarding the support from the Korean government and people, he expressed his gratitude over and over again, saying, "Your help and prayers have deeply touched our Myanmar citizens." "Thank you for being a good neighbor in the East."
The following is a summary of the interview with Tate Tet from mid-May through the 28th of May.
(I was unable to reach you while some additional inquiries were being made, so I inevitably included only the interviews up to the end of last month.)
"I fear that all sacrifices will be in vain if we do not fight with the military's 'only language', the gun."
Q. Before starting the interview, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims of the Myanmar military and their families and friends. And thank you for agreeing to an interview with SBS. Many people in Korea already know this, but please introduce yourself first.
A. Yes, I was a national gymnast, Miss Myanmar in 2013, and worked as an actor, model, and gymnast instructor.
Q. When and how did you join the armed organization? And is that organization the same as the Civil Defense Force (PDF) created by the National Unity Government (NUG), a government of the democratic camp?
A. Yes, that's right. I joined in early April, and the organization I belong to is the Civil Defense Force (PDF).
Q. Actually, there are various ways to oppose the Myanmar military, including the civil disobedience movement. Still, why did you pick up a gun?
A. I have used all the resources I have available to support the civil disobedience movement, raise money for the protesters, and support their families.
I thought that if all our people were involved in this movement, all these actions would have a greater impact on the military.
And these movements were seen as fuel to resist the military.
But despite our peaceful protests, the military brutally attacked us.
They robbed us of our freedoms, deprived us of our human rights, and killed us.
Yet they want us to acknowledge their sovereignty.
That dictator will never give us power easily.
I feared that all these sacrifices could be in vain if we didn't stand up for ourselves and fight back with their only language, guns.
That's why I got a real gun.
"Recognize the Democratic People's Unity Government as the only legitimate government in Myanmar"
Q. I heard that more and more young people like you are joining the Civil Defense Forces.
Is there anything you can share about the size of the National Guard or military training that you understand?
A. Of course, the number of people joining the Civil Defense Force is increasing.
However, I will refrain from answering this part for safety reasons.
Q. What do you think is the most important factor that can overthrow the military?
A. I think it is a strong determination and belief that we will never give up on our goals and will not stop working until this brutal regime is overthrown.
And the support of the international community, which recognizes the democratic government of national unity as our only legitimate government, and condemns the brutal military, is also essential.
"Trade with the Myanmar military must also be cut off... Military income is used as 'weapons of massacre'"
Q. If there is any other effective support from the international community, what do you think it is?
A. I think that one of the most effective and important international help is to cut off trade with the Myanmar military.
The military has monopolized the domestic market by abusing its power based on the wealth it has accumulated under the name of private enterprise since the 1960s.
This wealth has been turned into a weapon that kills innocent people and slaughters millions.
Military revenues from some countries and companies are turning into guns and bullets that kill people to the last dime.
Stopping these military-related businesses in all countries, and supporting and approving our only legitimate government, the National Unity Government, would be effective support.
"Korea, thank you for being a 'Good Neighbor of the East'... Please continue to support me"
Q. Do you have any opinions on the response of various countries, including ASEAN, the United Nations, and Korea?
A. First of all, I would like to say this.
Please support our work for justice and freedom.
And we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the international community for all their efforts to help us.
And I sincerely thank the government and people of the Republic of Korea.
Your help and prayers have deeply moved the people of Myanmar.
Thank you for being the 'Good Neighbors of the East' by the Korean government and Korean people.
God will continue to bless you Koreans as he has always been.