TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Hai Feng Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile Group soldier Tsai (蔡) was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for leaking operating manuals for the Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missile to a Chinese intelligence contact.
The prosecution said a Chinese People's Armed Police Force intelligence officer using the aliases "Chuting" and "Tiying" contacted retired Navy servicemember Lin (林) while posing as an Epoch Times journalist based in Hong Kong, per CNA. Lin later introduced the woman to Tsai despite knowing she was a person dispatched by a foreign country or China, according to the prosecution.
The prosecution said Lin asked Tsai to provide military secrets, telling him that payment could increase depending on the confidentiality of the information. Tsai then provided his personal information, military unit, and details of his duties through Lin, violating regulations, and received NT$8,000 (US$248) in return.
Tsai later sent photographs of the Hsiung Feng II missile launcher vehicle operating manual and Hsiung Feng II deployment manuals to the Chinese contact, receiving an additional NT$30,000 in return, the prosecution said, per Liberty Times.
Although the disclosed information was not classified as confidential, the prosecution argued that Tsai's actions still endangered national security and undermined military discipline, per UDN. It said Tsai had been entrusted with operating domestically produced defense equipment critical to Taiwan's security but betrayed the public's trust by providing military information to Chinese operatives.
Tsai admitted to the charges in early July and asked the judge for a lighter sentence, saying he did not want his parents to worry, per ETtoday. He said he recognized his wrongdoing and regretted his actions.
The court took into account Tsai's admission of guilt and the return of his illicit gains in handing down a sentence of two years and seven months in prison. The court also prohibited Tsai from holding public office for one year and six months.
