Taiwan's Security Under Scrutiny: Espionage Allegations Rock the DPP

Former Officials Detained Amidst Growing Concerns of Chinese Espionage

Taipei, April 12 – Concerns about national security in Taiwan are escalating as investigations into alleged espionage activities continue. A former assistant to the Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), during his tenure as Taiwan's top diplomat, has been detained in connection with an espionage case.

Prosecutors in Taipei brought in the former assistant, Ho Jen-chieh (何仁傑), for questioning after searching his residence. A court subsequently granted the request to detain Ho.

Wu's office has refrained from commenting, stating that Ho resigned from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2024, shortly before Wu's successor, Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), became the foreign minister and Wu assumed the role of NSC chief in May.

The office emphasized that any actions "betraying the country… should receive the severest punishment," and supports the judicial authorities in their impartial handling of the case, regardless of affiliations and in accordance with the law.

Ho's arrest contributes to a growing list of individuals suspected of spying for Chinese intelligence services while working for senior officials within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, which has been in power since 2016.

Other suspects include Wu Shang-yu (吳尚雨), an advisor in President Lai Ching-te (賴清德)'s office; Chiu Shih-yuan (邱世元), former deputy head of the DPP's Taiwan Institute of Democracy; and Huang Chu-jung (黃取榮), assistant to DPP New Taipei Councilor Lee Yu-tien (李余典).

Prosecutors allege that Huang was recruited by Beijing's intelligence services during business dealings in China. Upon his return to Taiwan, he collaborated with Ho, Wu Shang-yu, and Chiu to gather confidential information about Lai and other high-ranking officials.

Specifically, prosecutors state that Wu leaked information about Lai's visit to Paraguay in August 2023, when he was the vice president under former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).

The leaked information reportedly included flight schedules, accommodation details, and meeting locations.

Prosecutors did not disclose the confidential information compromised by Ho and Chiu.

According to the prosecutors, after providing this information to the Chinese intelligence services through Huang, Ho, Wu, and Chiu received tens of thousands of NT dollars in return.

The prosecutors broadened their investigation after tracing money flows between Huang and the others in February. Subsequently, Huang, Wu, and Chiu were detained.

However, the prosecutors did not elaborate on the relationship between Huang and the other three, beyond their shared history within the DPP.

No further details were provided regarding the Chinese intelligence services and their connection with Huang.

The DPP expelled Wu from the party and removed Chiu and Huang from its membership list, citing their actions as "serious threats to national security" and "significantly tained the party's reputation."

In a separate case, Sheng Chu-ying (盛礎纓), a former assistant to then-Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃) of the DPP, is also implicated. Sheng is accused of providing confidential information from the Legislature to Chinese intelligence services, receiving payment through cash and virtual currency.

Sheng, who worked for You from April 2022 for less than a year, was released on bail of NT$200,000 (US$6,188) in late March, under the condition of wearing an electronic tag.