According to sources close to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Naypyidaw, a major embezzlement case involving more than $700,000, including donations for Sagaing earthquake relief from South Korea, has been discovered at the military council’s embassy in South Korea. The military council has arrested Hnin Oo Hlaing, an embassy staff member, who has been recalled to Naypyidaw in connection with the financial misconduct.
The embezzlement at the military council’s embassy in Seoul, South Korea, occurred multiple times between 2023 and April 2025. The misappropriated funds included donations from South Korean citizens for Sagaing earthquake relief, revenue from visa and consular services, tax collections from Myanmar workers in Korea, and passport renewal fees. The scale and systematic nature of the embezzlement suggests a complex operation that took place over an extended period.
The military council recalled Hnin Oo Hlaing to Naypyidaw on April 3, 2025, where she was subsequently arrested. During a search of her residence, authorities recovered assets including gold and silver, with an estimated total value of around $300,000. Analysis from diplomatic circles suggests that such a large-scale financial misconduct would be unlikely to occur without the knowledge or involvement of higher-ranking officials, potentially including Ambassador Thant Sin, who may have been complicit in the scheme.
Currently, diplomatic relations between South Korea and Myanmar’s military council are strained. While the military council has been attempting to recall Ambassador Thant Sin to Myanmar, the process has been delayed due to various complications. Furthermore, the appointment of a new ambassador faces significant challenges, creating additional diplomatic complications. Sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate that these developments have further complicated the already tense diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
