The Embassy of Myanmar in Seoul held a formal reception on March 27 to mark the 81st anniversary of Myanmar Armed Forces Day, drawing ambassadors, defense attachés, and members of the diplomatic community.
Myanmar's Chargé d’Affaires Myo Myint Maung opened the proceedings by welcoming the assembled diplomatic corps with brief greetings in Korean and Burmese. In English, he framed Armed Forces Day as a symbol of patriotism and national sacrifice and described the occasion as one established to honor the moment when Myanmar's soldiers and people together rose against fascist forces, and as a day that "symbolizes the patriotism, courage, and unwavering resolve of the people to defend their nation and its sovereignty."
He also took a moment to thank those who had provided support following the devastating Mandalay earthquake of March 28, 2025, for which there was a moment of silence, before inviting the Defense Attaché to the podium.
Brigadier General Won Tu, Myanmar's Defense Attaché to the Republic of Korea, then delivered a substantially more political address, speaking in Korean with an English translation shown on the large screen behind him.
The Attaché traced the origins of the Myanmar Armed Forces to the Thirty Comrades led by General Aung San, who trained in Japan and initially allied with Japanese forces to resist British colonial rule before ultimately turning against the Japanese. He described March 27, 1945 — the date on which the Tatmadaw joined Allied forces against the Japanese occupation — as the founding moment of Myanmar's military identity.
Turning to the present, the Attaché asserted that the February 2021 coup that brought the military to power was necessary since the 2020 general election had been "strained due to widespread voter fraud, with over 10 million disputed votes," and that the previous civilian government had been unable to resolve those disputes within the existing legal framework.
"For this reason," he stated, "in accordance with constitutional provisions, the military assumed temporary state responsibilities in 2021."
The Attaché also offered a frank articulation of the military's governing philosophy: "While democracy is a crucial element of governance, we recognize that political stability and peace cannot be achieved through democracy alone." Regarding Myanmar's political transition, the Attaché informed the assembled diplomats that the Myanmar military convened the Federal Assembly in the third week of March 2026, and that a new government will officially assume responsibility for running the country from the first week of April 2026. The announcement signals a significant step in the long-delayed roadmap toward nominal civilian governance.
The Attaché closed with a toast to the enduring friendship between Myanmar and the Republic of Korea.
Before dinner began the Chargé d’Affaires awarded certificates of appreciation to Koreans who have enhanced bilateral cooperation, most recently through their support in organizing the event. Later, three recipients – Lee Gun-sik, Chairman of World Economy, Culture & Sports Exchange Association; Kim Sun-gyu, Executive Director of Yojin Construction & Engineering Co., Ltd.; and Cho Yong-geun – cut a commemorative cake with the Attaché and Chargé d’Affaires, expressing wishes for Myanmar and the Republic of Korea to enjoy peace and prosperity.
The event was well attended and smoothly executed despite protesters who had gathered outside the Mondrian Hotel, where it was held, to voice opposition to continued military rule.
