Taiwan defense minister offers resignation

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) offered his resignation on Thursday (March 28) amid a scandal involving his son, but President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) asked him to remain at his post. 

Presidential Office Spokesperson Olivia Lin (林聿禪) said on Friday (March 29) that Chiu apologized to Tsai on Thursday evening for the “troubles brought upon the team due to family matters,” reported UDN. He then verbally tendered his resignation, but Tsai persuaded him to stay.

Lin said that due to the regional security situation and transition period of the government, Tsai believes that Chiu should stay. She said Tsai emphasized that his family members would be investigated in accordance with the law.

Major General Sun Li-fang (孫立方), spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), responded to the media in the MND Line group on Friday, by saying the National Security Bureau has opened an investigation. Sun added that Chiu will continue to focus on his duties. 

Online media outlet Next Digital on Thursday reported that Chiu's son, who works for the NSB, is suspected of being involved in sex trafficking and engaging in pornography. However, the report did not publish the purported footage.