[First Reaction] Exciting Democracy

Park Young-soon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at a press conference urging the restoration of democracy in Myanmar held in front of the main gate of the National Assembly on the 3rd. The press conference was attended by civic groups supporting the restoration of democracy in Myanmar, So Mo-ttu, head of the Korean branch of the Committee to Overthrow the Myanmar Military Dictatorship, and Yan Nain Tun, head of the Korean branch of the National League for Democracy (NLD) of Myanmar. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] "How many dead bodies are needed for the UN to take action?"

This phrase was written on a placard held by a student in front of the UN office in Yangon, Myanmar. He is reported to have been shot by military police during the protest on the 28th of last month, which came to be known as 'Bloody Sunday.'

The coup d'?tat, the citizens' resistance, the barbarity of indiscriminate shooting, and the desperate hope for the international community amid isolation?these inevitably bring to mind Gwangju in May 1980.

We now stand at a point where we think it is over, but they are facing the fear of death. Despite the bloody crackdown, protests continue, and roses have been placed on the streets to mourn the deceased. Pure anger and resistance against injustice and violence, and they are shouting for 'democracy.'

"All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

This is part of the United States Declaration of Independence, which states the fundamental principles of democracy. In Myanmar, under that name, the National League for Democracy led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi came to power and established a civilian government, winning a landslide victory in last November's general election. However, the military's guns imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi and trampled on democracy.

In the United States, at the moment when 'legitimate power derived from the consent of the governed' was about to be born, opposition forces stormed the Capitol and caused chaos. Despite ups and downs, the seemingly solid United States collapsed in the face of COVID-19, and we witnessed the undermining of the basic order of democracy.

Just as fish cannot live without water, modern citizens find it difficult to breathe without democracy. Even without citing the US example, considering human imperfection, rather than naively believing in irreversible democracy, we are reminded anew that maintaining it requires constant efforts to check for cracks and ensure the supports are strong.

The flower of democracy is elections. South Korea's by-elections are just over a month away. Flowers that are ignored wither quickly, and the enemies of democracy grow by feeding on public indifference. It is worth reflecting that someone is risking their life right now for the democracy that has become natural and familiar to us.

The rules are simple, but individual judgments may not be easy. The question is who contributes to the community now. Who can overcome the precarious crisis of COVID-19 and inspire a proper future at this historic turning point? Neither the world nor individual lives change instantly. We must find candidates who will not extinguish hope.

A photo of a nun in Myanmar raising her hands and tearfully pleading in front of armed military police struck the hearts of people worldwide. She reportedly shouted, "If you want, just shoot me." Recently, the political circles adopted a resolution urging, "The government of the Republic of Korea, together with the UN and the international community, to strengthen and implement international will for the restoration of democratic order in Myanmar." One of the fundamental principles of democracy is philanthropy.