TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng said on Monday (Oct. 30) that the ministry will hold high-ranking military officers accountable in response to reports of leaked military equipment from Taiwan's Marine Corps.
Minister Chiu emphasized that lower-ranking military personnel should not bear the brunt of the fallout.
Chiu made the comment during a report to the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee, where Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Ching-yi questioned Chiu about the Corps' leaking of Stinger missile launchers, seeking updates on the military's investigation into the matter.
The Defense Minister admitted there had been problems within troop management but also pointed out that the blame should not all rest on the shoulders of lower-ranking officers. They lack experience, Chiu said, adding that their superiors should not simply issue orders from above.
Indicating that the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has traced the source of the problems regarding the brigade and command levels, Chiu stressed that senior officials should refrain from passing off their concerns to their subordinates.
Instead, they should accept responsibility for training, saying that any complications indicate a weakness within the ranks, with the main issue being senior management.
Regarding these cases, commanding officers are also being held accountable, Chiu revealed.
