TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Wednesday that Taiwan’s envoy to the US, Alexander Yui Tah-ray (俞大㵢), has been asked to respond to mounting workplace abuse allegations.

The latest accusations surfaced after the late trade official Yen Huai-shing (顏慧欣) raised concerns about possible workplace bullying within the Office of Trade Negotiations. Yui has been accused of dismissing government employees at will and reprimanding staff, including managers, over food aides brought back after banquets, per NOWNews.

Yui’s wife has also been accused of treating Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff as servants, allegedly scolding employees at the official residence when service did not meet her expectations.

Responding to lawmakers’ questions, Lin said the ministry would investigate the allegations, even though they were not filed through formal channels, per Tai Sounds. He said Yui has already addressed the claims with him, adding that he would ask Yui to respond publicly if necessary.

Addressing accusations that Yui demoted managers over banquet-related issues, Lin said a demotion had occurred but was carried out in accordance with proper procedures.

Yui was previously accused of spending NT$8 million (US$246,845) on luxury furniture, though a subsequent MOFA investigation put the total at NT$1.39 million. At the time, Yui dismissed the claims as malicious attacks, per CNA.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Tuesday also called on MOFA to investigate the allegations, even in the absence of formal complaints, per CNA.

Opposition lawmakers have alleged that Cho was already aware of the situation but failed to act due to Yui’s political backing. KMT Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) claimed the ministry’s inaction stemmed from Yui’s reported ties to National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), per Storm Media.

KMT Legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh (謝龍介) further alleged that Yui’s perceived favor with the US made it difficult to replace him during earlier controversies, per China Times.