US National Security Advisor "Considering Sanctions on Myanmar Military" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor to the White House National Security Council (NSC), stated on the 4th (local time) that the Biden administration is considering sanctions against the Myanmar military, which seized power through a coup.

At a White House press briefing on the 4th (local time), Advisor Sullivan said, "The Biden administration is considering an executive order in response to the Myanmar military, targeting sanctions against individuals and entities controlled by the military."

He emphasized, "There is bipartisan support for Myanmar, and we expect to work with Congress to respond to this coup."

He also added, "(To respond to the coup) we will cooperate with allies and partners worldwide."

Earlier, Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar military who led the coup, accelerated the consolidation of power by replacing senior officials in the police, judiciary, central bank, and government ministries.

President Biden, during his first visit to the State Department since taking office, stressed, "The Burma military must relinquish power, release detainees, lift communication restrictions, and exercise restraint in violence."

The day before, he issued a direct statement defining the Myanmar military's seizure of power as a coup and began applying pressure using foreign aid and sanctions as tools.

In his statement, President Biden called for international cooperation to ensure the military relinquishes power and releases detainees. Once defined as a coup, some U.S. aid is automatically restricted. The U.S. position is also to review all aid programs.

A senior U.S. State Department official has stated that the U.S. is considering sanctions not only on military leaders but also on companies associated with them.