Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office concluded the investigation into a former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) party worker suspected of espionage on June 10th. According to the office, individuals including Chiu Shih-yuan, Huang Chu-jung, Wu Shang-yu, and Ho Jen-chieh will be prosecuted for violating the National Security Act and the National Security Confidentiality Act. Prosecutors are seeking severe penalties and requesting the court to confiscate any proceeds of the crimes.
Chiu Shih-yuan, former vice director of the DPP Democratic Academy, Lee Yu-dien, former aide to New Taipei City Councilor Huang Chu-jung, former Presidential Office advisor Wu Shang-yu, and National Security Council Secretary General Wu Zhaoxie, along with assistant Ho Jen-chieh during his tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are implicated in the espionage case. The investigation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau’s National Security Maintenance Station, involved filtering intelligence, identifying individuals involved, and analyzing financial transactions before being referred to the prosecutors for further action.
It was revealed during the investigation that Huang Chu-jung engaged in business in China and was recruited by Chinese intelligence agencies starting in 2017. Upon his return to Taiwan, he allegedly sought political intelligence through cooperation with Chiu Shih-yuan, a fellow DPP member, to gather confidential information regarding presidential and vice-presidential visits to allied nations, which was subsequently passed on to Chinese intelligence agencies.
In February, the prosecutors conducted searches and interrogated Huang Chu-jung and Chiu Shih-yuan, resulting in both individuals being detained. Following this, a search was also carried out on Wu Shang-yu, who was subsequently detained as well. Prosecutors found significant evidence against Ho Jen-chieh, leading to a search and his subsequent detainment in April.
The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, after concluding the investigation, charged Chiu Shih-yuan, Huang Chu-jung, Wu Shang-yu, and Ho Jen-chieh with crimes including leaking and transferring national confidential information to mainland China, as well as money laundering. The case will now be transferred to the Taipei District Court for trial.
Prosecutors highlighted the severe nature of the crimes committed by Huang Chu-jung and Chiu Shih-yuan, emphasizing their betrayal of their loyal and confidential duties by passing on national secrets to Chinese intelligence operatives, causing significant harm to national security. Ho Jen-chieh’s actions were particularly condemned due to his high-ranking positions in the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the serious breach of trust involved.
Furthermore, despite the denials from Huang Chu-jung and Ho Jen-chieh during the investigation, prosecutors noted their repeated fabrication of lies in an attempt to mislead the investigation. As a result, prosecutors are seeking substantial prison sentences for Huang Chu-jung and Chiu Shih-yuan for their involvement in the espionage case, including additional penalties for money laundering.
Prosecutors revealed that Chiu Shih-yuan and Wu Shang-yu cooperated during the investigation, with Chiu facing at least seven years in prison for his participation in the espionage case and Wu Shang-yu facing a minimum of five years in prison for similar charges. Prosecutors also requested the court to confiscate any proceeds of the crimes obtained by Chiu Shih-yuan and Huang Chu-jung from Chinese intelligence agencies, totaling millions of New Taiwan Dollars.
Additionally, Huang Chu-jung faces charges related to the violation of the National Security Act for his involvement in developing organizations on the mainland. The jurisdiction for the first trial lies with the High Court. The case is currently under investigation by the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office.
In a related development, Shen Chu-hsing is suspected of receiving cash and virtual currency from Chinese intelligence agencies overseas, potentially in exchange for providing confidential legislative information. Shen Chu-hsing was brought in for questioning in April, released on bail, and placed under electronic monitoring pending further investigation.
Following the exposure of DPP party workers Chiu Shih-yuan, Huang Chu-jung, Ho Jen-chieh, Wu Shang-yu, and former Legislative Yuan President Yu Shyi-kun’s office assistant Shen Chu-hsing in an espionage case, DPP branches in Changhua County, Chiayi County, and New Taipei City have decided to report the five individuals for disciplinary action to the party’s central body. The head of the DPP Central Evaluation Committee, Lai Jui-lung, announced on May 21st that the five implicated members will be expelled and their party membership revoked to uphold party discipline and national security.