Control Yuan probing workplace bullying case: Official

Taipei, July 1 (CNA) The Control Yuan has launched an investigation into a workplace bullying case involving Taiwan's suspended trade representative Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮), a Cabinet official said Wednesday.

During a legislative hearing, Cabinet Secretary-General Xavier Chang (張惇涵) said the Control Yuan began its inquiry shortly after the Cabinet formed its internal investigation team in March 2026.

All related administrative and legal procedures were still ongoing and would continue in accordance with established regulations, Chang said, without providing any details on what further steps related to Yang's situation were being taken, other than the Control Yuan probe.

The Cabinet investigation found last week that Yang had created a difficult working environment for her late deputy, Yen Huai-hsing (顏慧欣), following allegations that emerged after Yen's resignation in February and her death on March 12 at the age of 53.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Monday decided to suspend Yang after the Cabinet's report concluded that Yang had engaged in workplace bullying.

Yang denied any wrongdoing and questioned the legitimacy of the report, saying that the investigation lacked procedural fairness and relied on limited testimony.

She also said she may take legal action over what she described as damage to her reputation.

Chang said, however, that the Cabinet's investigation report was prepared by an external review panel over three months, and he believed it would be "able to withstand scrutiny."

He also said different voices had been considered during the investigation.

On Tuesday, about 30 staff members at the Office of Trade Negotiations, which was headed by Yang before her suspension, issued a statement expressing support for Yang.

The involvement of the Control Yuan could affect Yang's future.

The government branch is responsible for investigating wrongdoing by government agencies, officials and civil servants, and it has the power to censure or impeach individuals, but most of the time its decisions are relatively toothless.

In this case, however, the Control Yuan could go as far as impeaching Yang, which would lead to Yang's case being referred to the Disciplinary Court for adjudication.