TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) pledged stricter oversight of military conscription exemptions during a legislative hearing on Wednesday, following reports of entertainers allegedly faking medical data to avoid military service.
Liu said the 16% medical exemption rate for conscripts in 2023 was abnormally high when compared with National Health Insurance data, suggesting the possibility of falsified medical documents. She vowed greater scrutiny to prevent future abuses, per UDN.
The issue was brought to light as the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office launched three rounds of investigations into suspected draft dodging. On Tuesday, actors Hsiu Jie-kai (修杰楷), Chen Bolin (陳柏霖), and Chang Shu-wei (張書偉) were released on NT$500,000 (US$15,300) bail each.
And musician Kunda Hsieh (謝坤達), a member of the boy band Energy, was detained upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday, while Liao Yun-chieh (廖允杰), also known as Lil Jay (小杰), was released on NT$350,000 bail.
Liu said the Ministry of the Interior has referred 133 individuals to district prosecutors’ offices, with 92 currently under investigation under the “Punishment Act for Violation of Military Service System” for submitting false or misleading medical information.
She said investigators from her ministry have uncovered numerous falsifications related to weight, body mass index, cardiovascular data, spinal conditions, and mental health. These findings have led the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Interior to revise regulations governing medical exemptions, particularly those related to BMI and weight.
Liu added that Taiwan will also reference standards from neighboring Asian countries and begin cross-checking medical examination results with conscripts’ health insurance records to ensure accuracy.
Shen Che-fang (沈哲芳), head of the MOI’s Department of Conscription Administration, said future standards will require a BMI of 45 or higher to qualify for exemption. “Gaining weight to avoid service will become almost impossible,” Shen said.
Those with a BMI between 15 and 45 will be required to serve. Previously, individuals with flat feet (foot arch angle less than 168 degrees) were exempt, but they will now be eligible for alternative service instead.
Blood pressure exemptions will also be tightened, with only those diagnosed with significant cardiovascular or organ disease qualifying. Future measurements will need to be verified by hospital examinations.
DPP Legislator Huang Jie (黃捷) raised concerns about brokers and doctors forming criminal networks to falsify records. Liu said the Ministry of Health and Welfare has already identified several unscrupulous doctors and referred them to prosecutors for criminal investigation.
