Military rule (1962–2011)

On 2 March 1962, the military-led by General Ne Win took control of Burma through a coup d'état, and the government had been under direct or indirect control by the military since then. Between 1962 and 1974, Myanmar was ruled by a revolutionary council headed by the general. Almost all aspects of society (business, media, production) were nationalized or brought under government control under the Burmese Way to Socialism,^[77] which combined Soviet-style nationalization and central planning.

A new constitution of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma was adopted in 1974. Until 1988, the country was ruled as a one-party system, with the general and other military officers resigning and ruling through the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP).^[78] During this period, Myanmar became one of the world's most impoverished countries.^[79] There were sporadic protests against military rule during the Ne Win years, and these were almost always violently suppressed. On 7 July 1962, the government broke up demonstrations at Rangoon University, killing 15 students.^[77] In 1974, the military violently suppressed anti-government protests at the funeral of U Thant. Student protests in 1975, 1976, and 1977 were quickly suppressed by overwhelming force.^[78]

What a lousy country!!!  Simply, hopeless country/people I dare say!!! 

Whenever I hear any about Burma, my blood boils up, sorely missing my closest friend, 김재익 I lost over there while serving to 전두환 as an economic adviser, who was brutally murdered at Rangoon instead of bastard 전두환.

Indeed, 재익 is THE only person who gave the biggest influence in my life; he is my Godfather who persuaded me to become a Catholic and also my best man. Without his critical advice, I would have not dared to change my initial plan to come to the U.S. 'alone', leaving my wife and two daughters back in Seoul, only for a two-year fellowship at Richmond and go back to SNU as my father, as well as SNU, wanted. When he was murdered at Rangoon, I called off the plan to go back to Seoul.

Yes, the Rangoon tragedy gave an immediate impact on my life.

BB Lee

I feel so sorry when I look at what has been going on in Myanmar and elsewhere in 

the world that people struggle to get out of oppression and make a free country.

During Cold War, America used to get involved swiftly to help the people 

and restore democracy. Sometimes it was obvious interference with internal affairs.

Occasionally the US staged military coup if a democratically elected government is 

Communist and anti-America. South Korea is enormously benefited from the 

U.S. involvement. 4.19, 5.16, 6월 항쟁 would have not been successful unless 

the U.S. helped the people and the military(5.16). 전두환 was fortunate(?) because 

The U.S. helped him instead of the people.

Nowadays, U.S. is largely helpless not only in Myanmar but also in Venezuela.

How about Syria and Lebanon? Not to mention Hongkong. The evil is China in 

Myanmar and Venezuela. Why should we afraid of China? I think we should help the people 

just like in old times.

http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0010348

김재익(金在益)

정치인물

 해방 이후 경제기획원 기획국장, 제5공화국 대통령비서실 경제수석비서관 등을 역임한 학자.   행정가.

[출처: 한국민족문화대백과사전(김재익(金在益))]

요지음 한국 젊은이들이 역사를 보는 시각은 우리세대와 사뭇 다르다. 

늙은이들이 자존심 살리기와 반공 중심의 시각에서 역사를 보는 반면에 

젊은이들은 좀더 객관적이고 독립국가의 입장에서 보려고 노력한다. 

"역성 혁명의 주체 세력이었던 이성계 패거리들이 신흥 대륙의 권력 명나라  

에 사신을 보내어 그들의 힘을 빌려 집권 하려 했다"

"전두환이 버마를 방문한 이유는 아마 네윈의 상왕식 통치를 배우기 위해서 

였을 것이다"

"전두환이 군부가 계획한 김일성 암살 작전을 미국의 압력으로 실행에 옮기지 

못하게 했다"

"냉전시대애 억울하게 사상문제로 희생된 사람들에 대한 보상에 관심을 기울여야 한다."

등등 윗 프로그램에서 돗보이는 바람직한 한국 젊은이들의 역사관이다. 

I heard that 전두환 threatened people who refused to serve his government.

I wonder what I would do if a dictator who would be condemned by people 

later asked to serve his government in a high position.
 

Heaven or God is so unfair that the evil like 전두환 escaped the attack and 

the innocent and talented person like Kim died. 

I am not sure how are Kim's family after his unfortunate death, Dr. Lee.

It is a wonderful story, Dr. Lee. It is not easy to continue to see and take care of 

the widow and her family after the best friend died. I think you and your wife 

are fortunate to have such a mutual friend if you look at the other side of coin. 
To tell you the truth, it was unexpected to hear the personal story that is directly 

related to the incident in Burma when I posted it. Thank you, Dr. Lee.

I don’t know whether I and my wife were ‘fortunate’, as you say, to have such friendship but it gave more pain and agony than the joy to us, to be honest. Of course, we have so many fond memories like the first vacation trip together to Yosemite NP, for example, but the aftermath of his tragic death was simply too painful to recall, only to provoke the anger and hatred to Korea which took him away to hurt us so much, one more reason why I hate anything coming up with ‘Korean---'.

They say 'time heals all wounds but I dare say NOT! It NEVER goes away, NO!!!  The wound only heals to become a scar to lessen the pain but the wounds remain forever!!!

But, thank God, such painful memories fade away slowly and steadily to let you make forgetful, that’s all!

Anyhow, I don’t think 재익 had such tragic death by his destiny/fate from the outset, no, no way!! but rather the outcome of bad karma he chose, which he could have avoided. Indeed, he himself never dreamed to work for the politicians when he went back to Seoul but only wanted to pay back to 한국은행 what he owed – 한국은행 sponsored his first leg of the journey to the States to study at East-West Center at Hawaii before he moved further to Palo Alto/Stanford -, keeping the option to come back to the States to resume American life as his wife, 순자 wanted so badly, when his mission in Korea is completed. But simply bad karma he chose, that is to work for the government- then 부총리 남덕우 persuaded him to work for him so that he changed his mind to move to the government and called off his initial plan. But I really thought he would eventually come back to the States/Washington DC to World Bank/IMF to use his hard-earned knowledge on econometrics in maximum as he dreamed but what bad karma!!! I don’t think such a gentle, kind, and honest soul could have such tragic fate/destiny, God forbids, never, never!!!!

BB Lee