Minister urged to stay on after son’s scandal
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has urged Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) to remain in his post after the latter offered a verbal resignation the previous night, the Presidential Office said yesterday.
Chiu tendered his oral resignation to the president after his son, who works at the National Security Bureau, was on Thursday reported to be involved in a sex scandal.
Chiu apologized to the president late on Thursday for causing trouble for her team due to the incident, Presidential Office spokesperson Olivia Lin (林聿禪) said.
Although the minister offered to resign, Tsai asked him to stay given the complexity of the current regional security situation, especially during a government transition period, Lin said.
Tsai is to complete her second term on May 20, when presidentelect William Lai (賴清德) officially takes over as president.
Citing Tsai, Lin said that Chiu should remain in his post to ensure the steady and comprehensive handling of important national defense matters.
A report in the Chinese-language online media Next Digital on Thursday alleged that Chiu’s son was involved with prostitutes.
The report said it was in possession of intimate photographs, but did not publish them.
The bureau said that it has initiated an investigation.
The Ministry of National Defense said in a statement yesterday that the minister would comply with the directive from the president, who “urged him to remain at his post during the government transition period” to ensure the smooth and comprehensive handling of important national defense matters.
As of press time, Chiu had not commented on the matter.