Aung San Suu Kyi's Son Kim Aris Speaks After Phone Call With Mother

Key summary

Kim Aris, son of Myanmar political leader Aung San Suu Kyi, described a recent phone conversation with his mother, who has been detained for over five years. Speaking from the Myanmar embassy in London to Naypyidaw, Kim said Suu Kyi sounded strong but hoarse, likely due to a cold. The military junta allowed the 49-year-old Kim a 20-minute call. Suu Kyi, 81, is serving an 18-year sentence under house arrest since February 2021 following the military coup that ousted her elected government. She was previously under house arrest from 2003 to 2015. During the call, Suu Kyi asked about Kim's well-being first. Kim noted she suffers from hand pain, possibly tendonitis in her right hand, and must undergo health checks every six months by military doctors. Her detention conditions remain unclear; while officially under house arrest since April, Kim described it as resembling solitary confinement with few privileges. The junta recently claimed to have sent gardening books from King Charles III of the UK. Kim has campaigned for his mother's release, including an 81-kilometer skateboarding marathon in London last June.