The Korean government must not attend ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting-Plus Experts Working Group (ADMM-Plus EWG) on Counter-Terrorism jointly held by Myanmar’s military and Russia! 

From 20 to 21 July, ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter-Terrorism will be held in Moscow. This meeting aims to cope with terror, and Myanmar’s military and Russia are co-chairs. The problem is that Myanmar’s military, which lost its democratic legitimacy, is disqualified as a co-chair. However, the Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense is planning to attend the meeting. 

The Korean Civil Society Association (KCSA) consists of 106 organizations, including the May 18 Memorial Foundation, which supports Myanmar’s democracy. KCSA strongly condemned that the Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense would attend the meeting. It also issued a statement saying that the Korean government would not attend the meeting. Australia and New Zealand have officially announced the absence of the meeting. The Korean government must do the right thing because it already declared that military cooperation with Myanmar’s military was stopped after the coup in February 2021. 

For a consistent diplomatic policy, the Korean government must communicate with ASEAN to find a solution to recovering democracy and peace in Myanmar instead of attending the meeting held by Myanmar’s military and Russia, which violate international law. 

July 14, 2022 

The May 18 Memorial Foundation