Soldier indicted for leaking military secrets to China-linked group

Kaohsiung, Aug. 18 (CNA) A 34-year-old Taiwanese soldier, identified by his surname Chiang (江), has been indicted on charges of violating the National Security Act and the Anti-Corruption Act after allegedly providing confidential military electronic records to a China-linked organization in exchange for money, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Prosecutors issued a press release that alleges Chiang was recruited by the organization after encountering a Chinese national while seeking loans online to address financial difficulties.

He also allegedly received payments in exchange for providing confidential military information.

According to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office, Chiang served as a sergeant with the Military Police Dong'ao Ling Unit from Oct. 16, 2019, until leaving active service on Jan. 20, 2025. He re-enlisted as a sergeant with a reserve brigade in Yilan County on June 16, 2025.

Prosecutors said the Chinese national belonged to the "Wolong Society," a group allegedly established to recruit active-duty Taiwanese military personnel to gather classified information.

Beginning in 2022, the man allegedly asked Chiang to provide confidential official information, promising periodic payments and assistance with his debts in return for joining the organization.

To demonstrate his loyalty before joining, Chiang allegedly recorded videos expressing support for cross-strait unification, opposing Taiwan independence and pledging not to resist in the event of a cross-strait conflict, prosecutors said.

After joining the group, Chiang allegedly received an initial payment of NT$200,000 (US$6,268). He then in 2024 used his account to access the military's regulations system, downloading nearly 100 files and photographing confidential electronic records before sending them to the organization, prosecutors said.

After leaving the military in January 2025, Chiang continued to face financial difficulties and allegedly agreed to re-enlist to obtain additional confidential information for the group if the opportunity arose, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors estimated that Chiang received nearly NT$600,000 in illicit proceeds and formally indicted him following the conclusion of their investigation.

Chiang is currently in detention, prosecutors said.