TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The opposition used its majority in the Legislative Yuan on Friday to pass a motion urging Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) to resign as secretary-general of the National Security Council.

The motion, tabled by the Taiwan People’s Party and backed by the Kuomintang, cited an espionage case involving an adviser who served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when Wu was foreign minister. The Taipei District Court in September sentenced Ho Jen-chieh (何仁傑) to eight years and two months in prison for passing confidential information to China.

The opposition said the case seriously damaged Taiwan’s national security and foreign relations, the Liberty Times reported. Lawmakers accused Wu of evading responsibility and avoiding legislative oversight, arguing he is no longer suited to lead the council. The proposal received 52 votes in favor, with 48 against.

The council expressed regret over the vote result and urged lawmakers to put the national interest and national security first. Political parties should set disputes aside and focus on reviewing the central government budget and the special defense budget instead, it said.

The Legislative Yuan also sent the wrong signal to the outside world by voting down a Democratic Progressive Party motion condemning China for this week’s live-fire drills around Taiwan, the council said. The move gave Beijing another opportunity to conduct cognitive warfare against Taiwan, it added.