TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s top trade negotiator and Minister without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮) on Monday disputed an independent investigation released Friday that found her guilty of workplace bullying involving her late deputy Yen Huai-shing (顏慧欣).
Following Yen’s death in March, allegations of workplace bullying and mistreatment surfaced, including claims of an audio recording in which Yang berated subordinates, per CNA. Yen had also criticized the government’s lack of progress on Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said Monday that Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) met with Yang to discuss the report, per Tai Sounds. She said Yang insisted on defending her reputation, while Cho decided to relieve her of her duties starting Wednesday.
Yang rejected the report’s conclusions and called for further investigation, saying it lacked evidence to support the two findings against her. She alleged some accusations were intended to damage her reputation and said she was not given a fair opportunity to respond.
In a statement released Friday, Yang said she had intended to promote Yen as her successor, per Storm Media. She also said Yen’s attitude toward her changed significantly after taking roughly five months of leave due to health complications beginning in September 2025.
Cho responded Tuesday to Yang’s claim that she was not treated fairly, saying the process to remove her would be completed before Wednesday, per SETN. He did not address her allegations directly.
The DPP caucus also commented. DPP caucus official Fan Yun (范雲) said the party respected the findings of the independent committee and Yang’s right to seek legal recourse, per Newtalk.
KMT Legislator Huang Ken (黃仁), citing Cho’s decision to suspend Yang, called on the government to clarify what disciplinary action would follow, per China Times. TPP Legislator Chen Chao-tzu (陳昭姿) said it was positive the matter was being addressed but criticized the government for taking too long to act.
Two candidates have emerged as possible replacements for Yang: former Taiwan representative to the European Union Lee Chun (李淳) and former Deputy Minister Chen Chern-chyi (陳正祺), both experienced trade negotiators.
