TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former diplomat Chuang Suo-hang (莊碩漢) was fined NT$300,000 (US$9,329) and removed from his post by the Disciplinary Court on Monday (Oct. 7) after being found guilty of harassing a subordinate.

The court also barred Chuang, Taiwan's former representative to Thailand, from holding a civil servant position for two years. This ruling follows a Control Yuan investigation in July, which determined that Chuang’s sexual harassment of a female subordinate left her feeling scared and uncomfortable, violating the Gender Equality in Employment Act.

The court, which is responsible for disciplinary cases regarding civil servants, noted that Chuang’s actions had damaged the reputation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government, per CNA. It also criticized him for failing to acknowledge the inappropriateness of his behavior.

The ruling can be appealed.

Chuang resigned after the allegations surfaced in June 2023 and was formally censured by the foreign ministry last October. In August, the ministry said it would adopt a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, in line with Control Yuan recommendations.