TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taoyuan prosecutors have indicted a Taiwan Army sergeant, a private, and a civilian friend for allegedly leaking classified military information to a China-linked group in exchange for payments, and recommended heavy sentences.
According to the indictment, a 22-year-old soldier surnamed Su (蘇) enlisted in the volunteer military on Sept. 6, 2023, and later served as a squad leader in the Army infantry after being promoted to sergeant, per CNA. A 19-year-old soldier surnamed Tsai (蔡) enlisted in the Army on June 24 last year and served as a private.
In March, Su, through Tsai, came into contact with a man surnamed Huang (黃), who is separately wanted for alleged violations of the National Security Act and other offenses, and with others allegedly operating under China’s direction. After learning that Su and Tsai were in financial difficulty, Huang allegedly enticed them to provide classified military information in exchange for payments ranging from several thousand to several hundred thousand Taiwan dollars, depending on the content and classification level of the information.
Tsai later recruited a 23-year-old man surnamed Wang (王), who was also in financial difficulty, into the group. Su and Wang were responsible for gathering internal military confidential documents and electronic records, CNA reported.
Tsai also allegedly instructed Wang in March to provide his family members’ personal data as collateral to join the group, to prevent him from backing out or withholding illicit proceeds.
Investigators found that Su and Tsai photographed internal military materials, including training and operational documents, personnel records, and other military administrative information. They then transmitted the materials to Huang via messaging apps in exchange for NT$2,000 (US$63) in cryptocurrency.
In March, Huang allegedly requested classified military materials, including missile and missile-system design schematics, operational plans, materials related to the Han Kuang exercise, weapons operation manuals, and internal management documents, per CNA. The parties agreed to payments of NT$200,000 and NT$500,000, respectively, but the deal was not completed because the units where Su and Tsai served did not have access to the materials.
Prosecutors said the case came to light after irregularities were discovered within the military unit and reported by the armed forces. After investigators gathered evidence, they carried out searches and detained the three suspects, later securing court approval for pretrial detention without visitation rights.
Taoyuan prosecutors concluded the investigation Tuesday, charging Su, Tsai, and Wang with offenses under the Organized Crime Prevention Act, the Anti-Corruption Act, the National Security Act, and the Personal Data Protection Act. Prosecutors said Su and Tsai were members of the armed forces who betrayed national security for personal gain, and recommended that the court impose heavy sentences.
