Taiwan's Spy Scandal Widens: Former Assistant of Minister Wu Chao-hsie Implicated

Investigation into alleged espionage activities involving former officials intensifies, raising concerns about national security.

The ongoing investigation into alleged espionage activities in Taiwan has expanded significantly. The case, initially focused on Wu Shang-yu, a former advisor to the Presidential Office, has now ensnared He Jen-chieh, a former assistant to Wu Chao-hsie, who previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and later as Secretary-General of the National Security Council.

Following allegations from legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin, who revealed He Jen-chieh's alleged recruitment by China, authorities initiated a search and arrest operation on March 10th. He Jen-chieh was detained and transferred to the prosecutor's office under suspicion of violating the National Security Act. Due to concerns about potential witness tampering and evidence destruction, the court granted a request to detain him without visitation rights.

This incident underscores the widening scope of the espionage investigation. The case also involves Sheng Chu-ying, a former assistant to You Si-kun, the former President of the Legislative Yuan, who is accused of providing sensitive information to the mainland over the past six years. Furthermore, the investigation has implicated Wu Shang-yu, a former advisor to the Presidential Office; Chiu Shih-yuan, the former deputy director of the Democratic Academy of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP); and Huang Chu-jung, a special assistant to New Taipei City Councilor Lee Yu-tien. All of them are suspected of assisting in the collection of intelligence for China. In mid-February, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office requested their detention based on charges under the National Security Act, citing concerns about witness tampering. Their detention was subsequently approved. There is a possibility that the case will continue to develop.