Lai seeks to reinstate military trials amid growing Chinese infiltration

Taipei, March 13 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Thursday that the government would seek to reinstate the military trial system to handle military related criminal cases involving active-duty servicemen amid increasing Chinese attempts to infiltrate the Taiwanese military.

As part of broader efforts to combat "China's infiltration and espionage efforts in the military," Lai said at a press conference at the Presidential Office that the government planned to "reinstate the military trial system and bring military justices back to the front line."

The aim is to better address cases involving active-duty military officers accused of subversion, espionage and dereliction of duty, and insubordination among other criminal cases, the president said.

However, Lai's plans will require legislative approval, as Taiwan abolished the military court system in 2013, following the death of army corporal Hung Chung-chiu (洪仲丘).

While there are still military judges, the current law mandates that court-martials be applied only during times of war.

Lai added that the government would also make incumbent and retired military personnel "pledging allegiance to the enemy" punishable by amending the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces, in order to "effectively curb controversial remarks or behaviors marring the morale of the military."

The announcement was made shortly after the president convened a high-level national security meeting to discuss possible responses to what he called increasing Chinese efforts to infiltrate Taiwanese society and sow division through influence operations.

The president cited data from the National Security Bureau as saying 64 people in Taiwan were indicted for spying for China in 2024, three times the number in 2021.

Of those indicted, 15 are active-duty servicemen and 28 are retired personnel, together accounting for 66 percent of the total, according to Lai.

Speaking with CNA later the same day, Lee Ming-ju (李明洳), deputy executive director of the Judicial Reform Foundation (JRF), said the military court system was disbanded because of multiple cases of human rights violations and collusion among military personnel.

"We are very concerned that the same legal framework would be resurrected," Lee said, adding that the NGO called for guarantees from the government to make sure the system would be transparent and cases handled properly.

The military court system was discontinued in 2013 following the death of Hung, who collapsed from heatstroke after being forced to undergo a series of intense drills at a military base. The officer, in his 20s, passed away a day later in the hospital.

This incident became a pivotal moment that sparked a renewed civil movement advocating for better human rights protections, greater transparency and accountability within the armed forces.

Both the main opposition Kuomintang and the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP) have expressed concerns over the plans, with the TPP criticizing the government for a lack of discussion with the public over the matter.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense said it would consult judicial authorities, experts and civil society groups before proposing draft amendments, with the hope of ensuring fair trials and due process in the military trial system.