Taiwan Bolsters National Security: New Vetting Procedures Proposed

DPP Legislator Champions Enhanced Security Measures to Combat Espionage Risks

Amid growing concerns over espionage cases, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷) is advocating for significant amendments to Taiwan's national security legislation. The proposed changes aim to fortify the nation's defenses against leaks of sensitive information.

The core of the proposal focuses on amending Article 14 of the Classified National Security Information Protection Act (國家機密保護法). Chen highlights potential vulnerabilities in the current security vetting procedures for individuals with access to classified data as the impetus for these amendments.

The amendment intends to establish a comprehensive security clearance system in Taiwan, enhancing interagency vetting and mitigating the risk of classified information leaks. The initiative would necessitate character and loyalty checks for both civil servants and intelligence personnel before employment.

The existing system, which lacks a unified, in-service clearance mechanism, currently allows potentially unqualified individuals access to classified information. This has contributed to previous leaks impacting the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Security Bureau’s Special Service Command Center, according to Chen.

While the Defense Industry Development Act (國防產業發展條例) includes vetting requirements for defense contractors, the increasing integration of dual-use technologies necessitates a broader approach. In the digital age, safeguarding classified data relies heavily on those who handle it, as emphasized by the Legislative Yuan’s Legislative Research Bureau.

Currently, Article 14 stipulates that access to classified information requires written authorization. Chen notes that the current vetting process is fragmented across agencies, leading to "systemic vulnerabilities."

The proposed amendments would model Taiwan’s framework on the US and Japan, mandating a central authority to develop a nationwide security clearance framework. These updated standards would apply to political appointees, civil servants, and intelligence personnel throughout their service, thereby strengthening national security protections.

Yeh Yao-yuan (葉耀元), a professor and international studies chair at the University of St Thomas in Houston, Texas, points out that similar systems in the US consider criminal records, social circles, online activity, and past behavior for a comprehensive evaluation. He also advises that Taiwan needs to classify levels of sensitive information before implementation.

Kuo Yu-jen (郭育仁), Deputy Director of the Institute for National Policy Research, compares the amendment with Japan’s recently passed Act on the Protection and Utilization of Critical Economic Security Information. He suggests Taiwan establish a comprehensive security clearance system with clear legislation defining national and commercial secrets, especially given the threat of infiltration from China.