Taipei, July 21 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou has accepted the resignation of National Security Bureau (NSB, 國安局) Director-General Lee Shying-jow (李翔宙), with the vacancy to be filled by Army Reserve Lt.-Gen. Yang Kuo-chiang (楊國強), the National Security Council (NSC, 國家安全會議) announced Tuesday.

Lee, who cited personal and health issues as reasons for his resignation, will be appointed a national policy advisor to the president, based on past practice.

Yang has previously served as superintendent of the Chinese Military Academy, head of the Republic of China Army Armor Training Command and Armor School and as deputy director-general of the NSB.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Kao (高振群) will be transferred to serve as deputy secretary-general of the NSC, with the appointment to become effective July 25, according to an announcement issued by the Presidential Office Tuesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still searching for a candidate to fill the deputy foreign minister position left vacant by Kao, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin (林永樂).

(By Tang Pei-chun and Evelyn Kao)
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