TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Tuesday that the ministry is pursuing legal reforms and security measures to address lenient sentencing in national security cases, CNA reported.
Liberty Times reported that the Control Yuan on Monday said sentences for national security crimes are more than 12 times lighter than those in Western democracies. It urged the judiciary to review sentencing standards and strengthen deterrence against espionage.
The Ministry of National Defense said in response that it is proposing amendments to raise penalties for acts such as expressing loyalty to an enemy, conspiracy, and premeditated offenses, per Newtalk. It is also reviewing changes to the “Military Trial Act,” which would be submitted to the legislature after Cabinet approval.
Koo said personnel involved in espionage could be stripped of pension rights under the “National Security Act.” He added that the military is strengthening internal security through education, vetting systems, and the encouragement of internal reporting of suspicious activity, Yahoo News reported.
Economic Daily News reported that the Control Yuan highlighted cases of Chinese infiltration targeting military personnel through online loans and religious networks. Investigators said active-duty and retired service members were recruited to collect sensitive information across Taiwan.
The Control Yuan said systemic issues, including weak information security and personnel screening, have exposed vulnerabilities in the armed forces. It said such breaches damage the military’s image and pose serious risks to national security.
SETN reported that data showed average prison terms for national security offenses in Taiwan range from about one to two years in lower courts and slightly more than two years in the Supreme Court. These penalties are lower than those for corruption and drug crimes, limiting their deterrent effect.
Officials said both legal reforms and changes in judicial practice are needed to address the issue. They also called for broader cooperation across government agencies and society to counter evolving infiltration tactics.
