One Year into the Myanmar Struggle, Gwangju Supports the Future of Myanmar.

It has been a year since the military junta in Myanmar staged its coup and the protests for democracy in Myanmar began. In the midst of major issues that affect the international community, such as the spread of COVID-19 and international disputes, the protests of the Myanmar people awaken us as did the cry of May in Gwangju.

On February 1, 2021, the military junta of Myanmar, which usurped power with guns and tanks, murdered one thousand five hundred of their own civilians and arrested and detained more than eleven thousand people over the past year. Moreover, the military junta of Myanmar is suppressing the resistance of the people by wielding vicious atrocities across the nation. Nevertheless, national resistance across Myanmar has led to an indomitable will despite numerous sacrifices.

One year into the Myanmar Democratic Uprising, it is a harsh reality to which there is no promise if an end, but the will of Gwangju citizens to be with the people of Myanmar remains firm. Gwangju will be in solidarity with the people of Myanmar, fulfilling the historical mission given to us by the May 18 Democratization Movement.

On the marking of the first year of the Myanmar Democratic Uprising, we pay tribute to the resistance and sacrifices of the Myanmar people, and urge the military junta of Myanmar and the international community to do the following:

The military junta of Myanmar should

1. Stop the indiscriminate slaughter and oppression of the people of Myanmar, and immediately release those detained or arrested.

2. Give up all power and hand over all authority to a democratic government.

The international community should

1. Implement humanitarian aid to respond to Myanmars food shortage and COVID-19.

2. Implement sanctions to prevent the inflow to the military government of not only weapons but also proceeds from oil and gas field dealings.

3. Recognize the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar as the official government.

January 28, 2022.

Gwangju Alliance Against Opposing the Military Regime and Supporting Democratization in Myanmarr (Gwangju Alliance for Myanmar)