Taipei: A prominent figure in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Mr. Ho Jen-chieh, has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities for China during his past tenure as an aide to the Foreign Minister, sending shockwaves through political circles. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office announced on the 14th that Mr. Ho, who served as an aide to former Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, is under investigation for violating the National Security Act, with allegations of leaking state secrets to Chinese intelligence agencies.
According to the prosecutorial investigation, suspicion against Mr. Ho arose during the investigation of Wu Shang-wu, a former advisor to the Presidential Office who was previously detained on suspicion of being a Chinese spy. Prosecutors believe that Mr. Ho transmitted classified information obtained during his time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Chinese intelligence operatives through Huang Chu-jung. Mr. Huang, a former aide to a New Taipei City Councilor, is suspected of being recruited by Chinese intelligence while conducting business in China and subsequently building a spy network by enlisting individuals within the DPP.
This case is particularly impactful as it follows the detention of Wu Shang-wu, a close associate of President Lai Ching-te, on similar charges, further shaking the political landscape. Mr. Wu served as Lai's secretary during his vice presidency and continued as an advisor to the Presidential Office after Lai's inauguration, allegedly leaking sensitive information, including details of President Lai's visits to allied nations, to the Chinese side.
Prosecutors are expanding their investigation, suspecting that Huang also recruited Chiu Shih-yuan, the former deputy director of the Taiwan Democracy Foundation, a think tank affiliated with the DPP. These individuals are suspected of collecting information and passing it to Chinese intelligence agencies through Huang.
The investigation gained momentum following a public exposé by Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin. On the 12th, Hsu claimed in the legislature that a high-ranking expert from the National Security Council had engaged in Chinese espionage activities, which was later clarified to be a person with the same name as Ho Jen-chieh. However, the disclosure of Ho Jen-chieh's identity during this process reportedly accelerated the prosecutor's investigation.
The camp of former Foreign Minister Joseph Wu stated that Mr. Ho had resigned from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March of last year and that they support the judicial system's sanctions against anyone involved in treasonous acts harmful to the public interest or "united front" operations, regardless of their political background or status.
The recent series of investigations and indictments of DPP figures on espionage charges has raised concerns that China's infiltration efforts into Taiwan have reached a more severe level. Last month, Sheng Chui-ying, a former aide to former Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun, was also released on bail after being suspected of being recruited by Chinese intelligence agencies.
Taiwanese authorities are emphasizing their commitment to strictly enforcing the National Security Act to vigorously counter infiltration and espionage activities by foreign forces. The outcome of this investigation is expected to significantly impact Taiwan-China relations.
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