Myanmar Junta chief accuses Karen armed groups of fuelling instability, linking them to cyber-scam networks

Mizzima

The head of the Myanmar junta, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has accused Karen armed groups of destabilizing Karen State and being involved in cyber-scam networks.

He made the remarks on 15 November during a meeting with state-level departmental officials and local residents in Hpa-an, the Karen State capital, according to military-controlled newspapers.

The junta leader claimed that Karen State has faced instability since independence due to armed conflict, which he said has harmed both the local population and the country. He added that the junta is now taking action to “clear and address” activities it views as threats to regional stability.

Min Aung Hlaing also said the regime is “cleaning out” the KK Park compound near the Myanmar–Thailand border – an area long notorious for online scam centres and illegal gambling – and vowed to complete operations there as a national duty.

Although he blamed “armed groups within Kayin State,” he did not specify which organizations.

However, on 20 October, junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun accused the Karen National Union (KNU) of direct involvement in the KK Park project, alleging that its leaders had misused state-owned land for financial gain.

The KNU denied the allegation, saying the junta was spreading “false information” to cover up the political, economic and military benefits it receives from scam syndicates operating inside Myanmar.

Justice For Myanmar (JFM) reported on 6 March that KK Park – one of Southeast Asia’s largest cyber-scam hubs – is linked to the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), led by Colonel Saw Chit Thu, which operates under the Myanmar military. The BGF rebranded as the Karen National Army (KNA) in 2024.

Although construction began in 2020, JFM said the compound expande