Taiwan defense minister and army chief face sack over soldier's death
Staff Reporter 2013-07-27 17:58
Kao Hua-chu, left, may be forced to step down, while his deputy Andrew Yang, right, is a leading candidate to replace him, our sister paper reports. (File photo/Chen Chun-wei)
An anonymous source said on July 26 that it is quite likely that Taiwan's president, Ma Ying-jeou, will let go of defense minister Kao Hua-chu and the head of the army Lee Hsiang-chou over of the death of Corporal Hung Chung-chiu, a conscript who was punished with detention and harsh physical exercise which pushed his body beyond endurance.
"The most important thing for now is to take care of this case" was the response from the Presidential Office when approached for confirmation of reports that Kao has offered his resignation and that Ma has decided to relieve Lee of his office.
The anonymous source, however, told our sister paper China Times that it is quite likely that Ma will approve Kao's resignation, while Lee will be transferred as a senior warfare adviser to the president after the case is settled.
China Times reported that deputy defense ministers Andrew Yang and Kao Guang-chi, former chief-of-the-general-staff Lin Chen-yi and former deputy defense minister Chao Shih-chang are the leading candidates to succeed Kao Hua-chu.
Protesters angry at Hung's death and the culture of bullying it has revealed in the country's armed forces are planning to organize a rally on Aug. 3. China Times reported that this may also be a posible date for the Presidential Office to announce Kao Hua-chu's resignation. Lee Hsiang-chou meanwhile had been seen as the top candidate for chief of the general staff, the top post in the country's armed forces, but the chances of this promotion now look non-existent.
