SEOUL, South Korea — A coalition of more than 100 South Korean civil society organizations has issued a searing condemnation of Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, following his self-appointment as President, labeling him a “war criminal” who lacks any legitimate claim to the title.
During a press conference held in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday, April 8, representatives from 106 organizations voiced their opposition to the junta’s latest administrative maneuvers. The protest marks one of the largest displays of international solidarity in East Asia since the military leader transitioned into a formal civilian role last week.
Quoting former UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews, the coalition described the presidential appointment as a mere political theater. “Min Aung Hlaing has simply moved power from his left hand to his right hand,” the statement read, dismissing the military-led elections as a fraudulent attempt to masquerade as a civilian government.
According to data cited by the groups, Min Aung Hlaing sits at the apex of a command structure responsible for the deaths of 7,966 civilians since the February 2021 coup. The coalition drew a grim historical parallel between the Myanmar general and South Korea’s late dictator, Chun Doo-hwan, who rose to the presidency after the bloody suppression of the Gwangju uprising in 1980.
“We remember clearly the end of Chun Doo-hwan,” a spokesperson for the coalition stated. “Like him, Min Aung Hlaing will inevitably face the consequences of his atrocities. He will never be recognized as a legitimate President by the people of Myanmar or the world.”
The coalition urged the international community—specifically the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)—to maintain its ban on military representatives attending regional summits. They emphasized that acknowledging Min Aung Hlaing as a head of state would be a direct betrayal of the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people.
Interestingly, the groups expressed optimism regarding the newly formed Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union (SCEF), viewing it as a potential beacon of hope for a unified resistance. They called on democratic forces within Myanmar to reflect on the lessons of the past five years to forge a stronger, more inclusive political path.
The protest in Seoul highlights the widening diplomatic rift between the military junta and democratic nations in the region. While several authoritarian neighbors have signaled a willingness to work with the “new” administration, the grassroots response in South Korea suggests that the junta’s bid for legitimacy remains deeply contested.
As the press conference concluded with chants for freedom, the message from Seoul was clear: a change of title does not erase a record of violence. For the activists and the Myanmar exiles present, the struggle for a true democratic transition continues, regardless of the labels used by the generals in Naypyidaw.
