19 April 2026 By Ko Myo
SEOUL, South Korea — A prominent academic from Seoul National University has called for an end to the violence in Myanmar, praying for “breezes of peace” to replace the sound of gunfire as South Korean civil society groups ramp up their support for Myanmar’s newest democratic alliance.
Professor Park Hwang, a key figure in the Myanmar Helping Citizen’s Group, delivered an emotional address on Sunday during a press conference and protest held near the Myanmar military-controlled embassy in Seoul. The event was organised to welcome the formation of the Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union (SCEF) and to denounce the junta’s latest political manoeuvres.
“May the new days of reconciliation and awakening shine on a land soaked in tears,” Professor Park said in his speech. “May justice, which has been trampled, stand tall once again, and may freedom bloom in a society where all citizens live with dignity and hope.”
The Professor praised the “unyielding spirit” of the Myanmar people who have faced brutal crackdowns since the 2021 coup. “Their cries for dignity and democracy resonate in the hearts of all who cherish freedom,” he added.
The demonstration, which took the form of a sit-in strike involving over 100 participants, explicitly rejected the recent self-appointment of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as “President.” A joint statement released after the event by South Korean and Myanmar organisations branded the new administration a “political deception” designed to repackage military dictatorship.
“The so-called new government is merely an insult to the power of the people,” the statement read. It urged the international community to deny any legitimacy to the junta’s sham elections and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The activists expressed strong confidence in the SCEF—a coalition initially comprising the NUG, CRPH, and major ethnic armed organisations like the KNU and KIO. They described the council as a “vital beacon of hope” for achieving a federal democratic union in Myanmar.
U Kyaw San, Secretary of the Myanmar Federation for Democratic Mission Council (MFDMC) in South Korea, noted that the day’s action was a coordinated effort between Myanmar revolutionary groups and Korean civil society. “We are asking the South Korean government and the international community to provide clear, practical support to the NUG and SCEF, and to increase humanitarian aid for those suffering on the ground.”
The event marks a continued trend of robust support for Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement within South Korea, which has become a primary hub for diaspora-led fundraising and diplomatic advocacy in East Asia. As the conflict in Myanmar enters a critical phase, the message from Seoul remains steadfast: there can be no peace without the total eradication of the military system.
