A media interview with Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) foreign minister has raised hopes amongst the Myanmar people that the junta is close to collapse.

Speaking to Nikkei Asia magazine during an interview in Tokyo in late November, NUG Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung said the Myanmar junta has faced an unprecedented armed resistance that has pushed it close to collapse.

The Nikkei Asia interview took place at the NUG representative office in Japan’s capital. Unfortunately, the magazine reportedly misquoted Zin Mar Aung over the NUG stance regarding dealing with the junta, prompting a call on the magazine for a correction.

That said, the NUG interview marks an important milestone.

It came in the wake of Operation 1027 led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, composed of three ethnic armed groups - the Kokang Army, also known as the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA) - named for its 27 October start date.

The joint forces struck simultaneously in northern Shan State, targeting junta army bases, police stations, and pro-military militia installations in Kutkai, Kyaukme, Muse, Namhkam, Nawnghkio, Lashio, and Chin Shwe Haw. Another front has been opened by the AA in Rakhine State, and fighting has seen upticks in Karenni and Karen states.

Another series of attacks is anticipated within the next few weeks, Zin Mar Aung told the Nikkei.

“The morale of the military junta and the soldiers is at its lowest in history because they are losing their rationale [for governing]," she told the magazine. "We are receiving many defectors and most of the military camps are ready to surrender."

In a major blow to the junta army, all 127 soldiers of Infantry Battalion 129 surrendered to anti-junta resistance forces on 12 November in the besieged town of Laukkaing, on the Chinese border, according to the MNDAA. Similarly, an entire Light Infantry Battalion 125 surrendered to Brotherhood Alliance

forces in Konkyan Township in the Kokang area. The mass surrenders further highlight the weakening grip of the military junta on the country.

In the interview with the Nikkei, Zin Mar Aung said, "The military is getting ready to dissolve by itself" due to the fighting from resistance forces.

As part of the transition to democracy, the NUG Foreign Minister told the magazine that her government is committed to transforming the nation's "unprofessional" army into a force dedicated to "protect the people and institutions".

"We are not trying to abolish the entire military. We are trying to transform the military. We need heroes and reformists in the military,” said Zin Mar Aung, who added, “The next wave of the operation (of resistance forces) is coming soon."

She said that political dialogue will be possible only if the junta follows the ASEAN-instituted five-point consensus.

“In order to make this (dialogue) happen, we have preconditions, such as the junta following the five-point consensus."

This consensus, reached on 24 April 2021, by ASEAN and Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, calls for an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance by ASEAN, and a visit by the special envoy to Myanmar to meet with all parties.

More than two years have passed since the five-point consensus was agreed, but the Myanmar junta has failed to implement its provisions.

The magazine interview was important – but it prompted an element of controversy.

Zin Mar Aung issued a personal statement in the wake of Nikkei Asia’s publication of the story, urging the Nikkei to correct alleged mistakes in the magazine story.

The initial version of Nikkei Asia’s story says (in indirect speech) that the NUG is preparing for face-to-face dialogue with the military regime.

Zin Mar Aung said in her personal statement in the Burmese language that she never said anything about preparing for a face-to-face meeting.

Later, the Nikkei’s text was later revised to directly quote the NUG Foreign Minister: "We are preparing for the political dialogue phase-by-phase.”