4 Taiwanese entertainers released on bail for military service evasion

Taipei, Oct. 21 (CNA) Four Taiwanese actors and vocal artists were released on bail Tuesday after admitting to paying for falsified medical reports to evade compulsory military service, according to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

The case is linked to an ongoing investigation connected to Taiwanese actor Darren Wang (王大陸), who was indicted alongside 27 others in June for similar offenses.

Actor Hsiu Jie-kai (修杰楷), 42, admitted to paying NT$150,000 (US$4,893) for forged medical documents and was released on NT$500,000 bail.

Actor Chen Bolin (陳柏霖), 42, who was released on NT$500,000 bail, admitted to paying NT$100,000.

After being released, the Golden Bell Award winner for Best Actor in 2012 said he was grateful to prosecutors and police for giving him the chance to face what he called a "absurd choice" he made in his youth.

Chang Shu-wei (張書偉), 44, a member of the boyband "Energy," admitted to paying NT$150,000 and was released on NT$500,000 bail.

Former boyband "Lollipop" member Liao Yun-chieh (廖允杰), 39, also known as Liljay (小杰), admitted to paying NT$300,000 and was released on NT$350,000 bail.

Police said all four paid a suspect surnamed Chen (陳) to arrange falsified high blood pressure reports.

Police said their cases were transferred to prosecutors on suspicion of document forgery and evasion of military service.

Police also detained three civilians -- a person surnamed Liu (劉), a person surnamed Lee (李) and a person surnamed Yuan (袁) -- for questioning.

Police said Hsieh Kunda (謝坤達), another member of "Energy," did not appear for questioning because he is working overseas in Canada.

In a statement issued through his management company, Hsieh apologized to the public and fans, and said he had "mistakenly" applied for a military exemption 15 years ago.

He said he canceled his overseas work after learning of the investigation and has contacted police to arrange an early return to Taiwan.

In Taiwan, all eligible male citizens must perform compulsory military service, usually around the age of 18, in accordance with the Act of Military Service for Officers and Non-commissioned Officers of the Armed Forces.