TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Even though the appointments have not been officially announced, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told foreign visitors Tuesday (April 16) that Presidential Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) would be the next foreign minister, while incumbent Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) would move to the National Security Council (NSC).
Earlier Tuesday, Premier-designate Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) presented the top economics officials taking over on May 20, but neither he nor President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has officially mentioned top foreign policy and defense appointments so far. The new functions for Lin and Wu have been mentioned by the media, but have not been confirmed by government officials.
That changed when Tsai received a parliamentary delegation from New Zealand at the Presidential Office Building Tuesday morning, per CNA. She introduced Lin and Wu to the guests while mentioning their functions in the next administration.
Another change which has been mentioned in the media but not confirmed, was the appointment of incumbent NSC Secretary-General Wellington Koo (顧立雄) as the new defense minister. If the change goes ahead, Koo will be the seventh civilian in charge of a ministry frequently led by retired generals or admirals.