Ban Ki-moon Visits Myanmar, Urges Military Leader to "Immediately Stop Violence"

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who made a surprise visit to Myanmar, met with the head of the military regime and urged an immediate halt to the violence.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) is meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, the military ruler and Commander-in-Chief, in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, on the 24th (local time). / Photo by Yonhap News

On the 25th, foreign media including the AP reported that Ban held talks with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in the Myanmar capital, Naypyidaw, the previous day.

Ban visited Myanmar from the 23rd to 24th as part of activities with The Elders, an international group established for world peace and human rights.

According to The Elders, Ban emphasized that "the implementation of the five-point consensus with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the UN Security Council resolutions is urgent."

He also met with military leaders and former President Thein Sein, stating that all parties, including the National Unity Government (NUG), the interim government of the democratic camp, must find solutions to the problems.

He added, "I came to Myanmar to urge the military to immediately stop the violence and to start dialogue involving all parties," and "I will do my best for the peace, prosperity, and freedom of the Myanmar people."

During his tenure as UN Secretary-General, Ban visited Myanmar several times to support democratization. In 2009, he visited Myanmar and pressured the coup military to release State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and in 2012, he met with Suu Kyi. He also visited Myanmar in 2016 to further efforts for peace settlement.

However, this time he was unable to meet with Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi was arrested immediately after the current Myanmar military coup and charged with corruption and election fraud, among other allegations. She was subsequently sentenced to a total of 33 years and is currently held in solitary confinement at Naypyidaw prison.