According to news from South Korea, Lee Jae-myung, who has supported Myanmar’s Spring Revolution against military dictatorship and met with NUG ministers and representatives, has been elected as the President of South Korea. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the opposition Democratic Party, won the South Korean presidential election on June 3rd. Lee Jae-myung has been a strong supporter of Myanmar’s democracy movement since the beginning of the Spring Revolution until today, showing the three-finger salute within the Korean political community and strongly condemning Myanmar’s military junta. He has also been instrumental in supporting the Myanmar Network Organization of the Anti-Coup Committee (Korea), which is a strong organization for Myanmar political activities and support within Korea, according to the NUG Representative Office in South Korea.
In March 2021, one month after the military coup in Myanmar, Lee Jae-myung, while serving as the governor of Gyeonggi-do Province, met with members of the Anti-Coup Committee (Korea), including U Yan Naing Tun from the National League for Democracy’s International Organizing Committee (Korea Department), Ko Soe Moe Thu from the Myanmar Labor Social Welfare Center, and Ma Hnin Wut Yee, a student from Soongunghwe University. During this meeting, Governor Lee Jae-myung expressed his understanding of the current political situation in Myanmar, strongly condemned the military coup, and stated that not only Gyeonggi-do Province but also the Korean government would do their utmost to help end military dictatorship and restore democracy in Myanmar as quickly as possible.
He expressed deep concern for the detained national leaders and promised to pressure for their immediate release. During his tenure as Gyeonggi-do Province governor, he officially authorized the establishment of the Myanmar Network Organization in accordance with the province’s legal provisions. Furthermore, he has been actively supporting various initiatives to assist Myanmar’s democracy movement. His commitment to Myanmar’s democratic cause has been consistent and unwavering throughout his political career, demonstrating strong solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their struggle against military rule.
On May 18, 2024, during the 5.18 anniversary ceremony in Gwangju city, Lee Jae-myung met with NUG Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung and Minister of Planning, Finance and Investment U Tin Tun Naing. During this meeting, he reaffirmed his continued support for Myanmar’s democracy, at which time he was serving both as a member of parliament and party chairman. Now, with his election as South Korea’s president, there are expectations for even stronger support for Myanmar’s democratic cause. His consistent stance against the military coup and support for democratic forces in Myanmar has made him a significant ally in the international community for Myanmar’s struggle for democracy and freedom from military rule.
