TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Prosecutors have charged a former Marine Corps member with making a video pledging allegiance to China and for selling military secrets, reports said Friday.
Chen (陳) accepted NT$200,000 (US$6,300) in return for the video before starting to pass on confidential information, per CNA. Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office in Kaohsiung asked for the imposition of a severe punishment.
Chen joined the Marine Corps in 2017 as a petty officer second class, but did not start his illegal activities until after he met a Chinese man online in January 2024. Following instructions, Chen filmed himself at his home in Kaohsiung holding a Chinese flag and expressing his support for Chinese claims over Taiwan.
In May and June, he collected information about weapons systems, including amphibious vehicles, and their maintenance records. He took pictures of the data with his smartphone and sent them to his contact in China.
In July, Chen passed on the news about an unannounced visit to Zuoying Navy Base by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), receiving NT$10,000 as a payment. The same month, he used the Line messaging app to send data about the annual Han Kuang military exercises and about drones, but before he received any money, his actions were discovered by investigators.
Prosecutors charged Chen with breaking the National Security Act and the Anti-Corruption Act. He was also discharged from the military.
