Hsu Chia-ching Resigns as Head of Overseas Community Affairs Council; Lee Yen-hui to Serve as Acting Minister
Hsu Chia-ching, minister of Taiwan's Overseas Community Affairs Council, has resigned after her family members were accused of misusing the resources of overseas missions, delivering a political blow to the governing team.
- The Taiwan People's Party legislative caucus has spent several days accusing Hsu Chia-ching's family of misusing the resources of overseas offices.
- Hsu Chia-ching held a press conference to deny the allegations, stressing that she had administered her duties in accordance with the law, and she proactively called for administrative and judicial investigations.
- She said she was resigning in order to protect the good name of the office, and Premier Cho Jung-tai has reluctantly accepted the resignation.
- Deputy Minister Lee Yen-hui submitted her resignation at the same time but was asked to stay on; she will serve as acting minister and continue the council's overseas community affairs and liaison work.
- Lee Yen-hui only took up the post of deputy minister last August, having previously served as a Hsinchu city councilor.
Outlook: The findings of the investigations and the formal personnel appointment will determine whether the controversy ends here or continues to simmer in the Legislative Yuan.