1. The Government of the Republic of Korea announced on February 1, the two year anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, a joint statement issued by the ROK Foreign Minister together with the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, the Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, Ghana, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the High Representative on behalf of the European Union.

2. The joint statement points out that Myanmar’s political, economic and humanitarian crisis has worsened as a result of the prolonged conflict. It also conveys support for the role of the United Nations and ASEAN in addressing the crisis, and reaffirms the international community’s commitment to support efforts for Myanmar’s peace as well as its inclusive and democratic future. The main content of the statement is as follows:

- Since the coup, the military regime has violently cracked down on any form of opposition, including peaceful protests. There are mounting reports that civilians and civilian infrastructure have been indiscriminately targeted. The prolonged conflict has seen thousands of civilian casualties, over 17 million people in need and 1.5 million people displaced from their homes.

- We welcome and support the central role of ASEAN in addressing the crisis in Myanmar.

- We welcome the UN Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022) on the situation in Myanmar which calls for the cessation of violence, the respect for human rights, the provision of humanitarian access, the implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus*, and the release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners. It reaffirms support for the ASEAN Special Envoy and the UN Special Envoy to Myanmar and encourages their close coordination, and urges all parties in Myanmar to work with both Envoys to commence dialogue to seek a peaceful solution.

* ① immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar ② commencement of constructive dialogue among all parties concerned ③ facilitation of mediation by a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair ④ provision of humanitarian assistance by ASEAN ⑤ visit by the ASEAN Chair’s special envoy and delegation to Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned

- We reiterate our call for the return of Myanmar to a democratic path. The military regime must end violence and create space for meaningful and inclusive dialogue to allow for any democratic process to resume.

- We once again call on all members of the international community to support efforts to hold those responsible for human rights violations and abuses to account; to cease the sale and transfer of arms and equipment; and to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of Myanmar’s people.

- We support all those working peacefully towards an inclusive and democratic future for the people of Myanmar.

3. From the very beginning of the crisis, the Government of the Republic of Korea has consistently called for an end to violence, the release of those who are arbitrarily detained, the provision of humanitarian assistance, and the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. And, going forward, it will continue its efforts to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the Myanmar crisis in close cooperation with the international community.

Attached: Joint Statement on Two Year Anniversary of Military Coup in Myanmar