TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Sports Minister Lee Yang (李洋) on Wednesday denied rumors that he planned to resign, saying he has no intention of leaving his post.
Before attending a legislative meeting, Lee was asked about reports that he was preparing to step down, per UDN. He dismissed the speculation, saying he would continue doing his best with the support of Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his colleagues at the ministry.
Lee said he did not know where the rumors originated and that his focus remained on improving Taiwan's sporting environment.
Media reports suggested opposition from some DPP factions to Lee's reported plan to appoint National Taipei University of Education Professor Yang Chi-wen (楊啟文) as deputy minister had fueled the speculation, per Ftnn. However, Cabinet aides told ETtoday that the rumors were more likely driven by resistance to Lee's reform agenda within Taiwan's sports community than by the reported personnel appointment.
Another Cabinet aide said it was unlikely Lee would leave with the Asian Games about two months away. The aide added that Lee remains one of the Cho administration's most recognizable figures, making a replacement unlikely.
Since taking office, Lee has sought to reform single-sport governing bodies, including the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association. He has required national sports associations to establish athlete committees composed of active athletes.
Lee has also revised eligibility requirements for tenants at the Sports Joint Office Building, limiting office space to national sports associations that are members of international sports organizations, per ETtoday. The policy is expected to force 11 associations to vacate the building.
The prospect of losing office space has reportedly prompted strong opposition from several sports associations, per SETN. The Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, however, supported the policy and said it would return part of its office space despite remaining eligible to use it.
Lee also commented on the departure of former National Sports Training Center Chair Lin Hong-dow (林鴻道), thanking him for his contributions to Taiwanese sports. He rejected speculation that Lin resigned because of disagreements with him.
Lin reportedly clashed with Lee after Lee took office in March. Lin favored retaining experienced administrative staff ahead of the Asian Games, while Lee advocated hiring retired athletes with experience at the training center, per SETN. The two also differed after Lin's Hong Dow Sports Development Foundation awarded cash prizes to Taiwanese Olympians, per Mirror Media.
Lee did not attend the prize presentation and asked that his award be donated to charity, saying at the time that his priority was structural reform rather than personal recognition.
The pair also reportedly disagreed over a projected NT$185 million (US$5.8 million) budget shortfall at the National Sports Training Center in 2025, caused by a larger-than-expected number of athletes in training and higher catering costs, per Mirror Media. Although the center's board recommended using the sports ministry's Sports Development Fund to cover the shortfall, Lee, who oversees the fund, rejected the proposal.
