TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Seven retired military officers have been indicted for allegedly receiving funds to conduct espionage for the PLA.
On Wednesday, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office Taichung Branch said the case originated in 2022. Miaoli District Prosecutors Office investigated Miaoli County Councilor candidate Huang Kuei-kun (黃桂坤) for allegedly receiving funds from China, in violation of the Anti-infiltration Act (反滲透法).
Miaoli prosecutors traced the matter to the Rehabilitation Alliance Party and suspected the National Security Act (國家安全法) was being flouted. This prompted them to transfer the case to the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office in Taichung.
Prosecutors found that 62-year-old Chu Hung-i (屈宏義), a retired Army officer, worked for China following his retirement. In 2019, he was in touch with a PLA intelligence agency, which promised money to recruit retired military personnel in Taiwan.
Hsu recruited six retired officers, including Huang Kuei-kun (黃桂坤). Chu then began drafting plans such as the “Rehabilitation Alliance Plan” and the “China Unified Rehabilitation Alliance Operation Plan.”
They included forming a political party, and establishing internal armed forces.
In 2023, Chu established the Rehabilitation Alliance Party and served as its chair. He recruited three candidates, including 71-year-old actor Liu Shang-Chien (劉尚謙) and local figures, to run for legislative seats.
Chu requested funds from his contacts at the PLA intelligence agency. The agency transferred nearly NT$2 million (US$60,000) through the messaging app WeChat and an additional 150,000 yuan (NT$670,000) via underground banking channels. However, none of the candidates were elected.
Chu instructed his organization's leaders to collect a list of military officers at the rank of major general and above. They were also directed to photograph the exterior of the American Institute in Taiwan and four important military sites, including Alishan Radar Station, Jialutang Beach, and the Joint Operations Training Base Commands in Hengchun and Baoli.
Chu and his accomplices were to create maps and coordinates and deliver them to their Chinese contacts via WeChat and other methods.
When questioned by prosecutors, Chu and the other defendants claimed the funds were for business expenses related to appraising antiques for “Chinese friends.” They claimed to be unaware of the purpose when asked by the Chinese to photograph the exterior of military bases.
After the case was investigated by the Taichung Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, in August, Chu and six others were indicted on charges of breaking the National Security Act, the Anti-Infiltration Act, and other offenses. Chu was detained after the prosecution's request was approved and has been in custody since then.
The other defendants have been restricted from leaving the country. The case is being tried by the Taichung Branch of the Taiwan High Court.
The defendants face prison sentences of at least seven years and fines ranging from NT$50 million to NT$100 million.
