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Taiwan actor dragged away in cuffs over draft evasion scheme
Authorities in New Taipei City arrested nearly ten people, including actor Chiu Sheng-yi, in a crackdown linked to a draft dodging scandal. The investigation highlights Taiwan’s tightening enforcement on conscription laws, contrasting with South Korea’s approach to military service for celebrities.
2026/04/02 21:10
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Taiwan’s military ammunition use jumps 150% in 4 years
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense plans to procure rifle ammunition internationally due to increased consumption from enhanced training and conscription. The military’s demand has surged, prompting economic efficiency in procurement. A new facility in Kaohsiung will boost production capacity.
2026/01/13 09:46
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Darren Wang admits document forgery to avoid conscription
Taiwanese actor Darren Wang pleaded guilty to document forgery to avoid military conscription. He faces a possible one-year sentence. The case is part of a larger investigation involving 40 individuals.
2025/11/18 15:10
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Taiwan military faces critical manpower shortage
Taiwan’s armed forces face a manpower shortage, with the volunteer force ratio projected to drop to 75.58% by June 2025. This impacts training and retention.
2025/11/04 17:23
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Koo defends Taiwan military amid questions over readiness
Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo defends the military training program against CNN criticism, highlights submarine trials, and emphasizes defense strategy amid regional tensions.
2025/06/25 14:00
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Taiwan threatens 7-year sentences for draft dodging
The Ministry of the Interior in Taiwan warns against draft dodging, highlighting severe penalties for forging documents to evade military service. Offenders face up to seven years in prison.
2025/05/17 09:00
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Taiwan defense minister warns draft dodgers face prosecution
Taiwan cracks down on military service evasion, targeting celebrities. Defense Minister Koo Li-hsiung warns of legal action. New conscription standards are set.
2025/05/15 08:00
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Taiwan denies plans to extend conscription to two years
The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan denies plans to reinstate a two-year conscription. The current one-year service includes diverse training and education.
2025/03/26 14:14
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Taiwan revises military service rules, expands mobilization
Taiwan revises substitute military service rules, expanding mobilization scope and duration. The first exercise on March 27 involves 120 personnel, reflecting strategic shifts.
2025/03/24 11:55
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Actor Darren Wang begins military service amid allegations
Actor Darren Wang begins his mandatory military service amid allegations of draft evasion and inciting violence. Authorities prioritize his conscription despite ongoing investigations.
2025/03/13 09:58
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Taiwan enforces military service for dual ID holders
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense mandates military service for men with Chinese IDs to ensure fairness. The Mainland Affairs Council clarifies cross-strait regulations, emphasizing obligations remain despite dual identities.
2025/03/11 14:00
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Public figures’ influence in military evasion questioned
Taiwanese actor Darren Wang was detained for allegedly forging medical records to avoid military service. This case highlights scrutiny of Taiwan’s conscription system.
2025/02/20 17:03
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Doctors stress difficulty in faking illness for conscription
Doctors in Taipei emphasize the difficulty of faking illness to avoid military service. Conscription health checks include re-examinations by experts, ensuring accuracy.
2025/02/19 14:55
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Darren Wang released on bail amid draft evasion probe
Taiwanese actor Darren Wang and others face charges for allegedly evading military service by falsifying medical records. Authorities detained Wang, who was released on bail.
2025/02/19 09:54
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Taiwan to quadruple conscripts in outer islands by 2025
Discover how Taiwan plans to address its military staffing challenges by significantly increasing conscript numbers in Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu by 2025, as voluntary personnel numbers decline.
2024/09/10 10:15
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Taiwan boosts 2025 military budget by NT$20.3 billion
Discover the details of Taiwan’s 2025 military budget increase, focusing on delayed military sales payments and the distribution of funds across the army, navy, and air force. Learn about the impact of global events on Taiwan’s defense spending and the strategic investments in military equipment and personnel readiness.
2024/09/09 15:27
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Taiwan premier responds to Trump’s ’protection fee’ comments
Explore Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai’s response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on Taiwan-U.S. relations and Taiwan’s commitment to defense and regional stability.
2024/07/17 17:16
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Taiwan’s military faces manpower crunch as births decline
Discover how Taiwan addresses its military manpower challenge amid a declining birth rate, with conscriptable males falling below 100,000. Learn about the MOI’s law amendments and the MND’s efforts to boost numbers.
2024/06/24 13:31
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Taiwan’s military faces recruitment challenge
Explore how Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is tackling the challenges of declining conscription and volunteer numbers due to lower birth rates and COVID-19, with strategies for improvement.
2024/05/27 11:04
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New marine recruits embark on rigorous journey in Pingtung
Taiwan’s Marine Corps welcomes new recruits at Pingtung’s Longchuan Camp, marking the start of an extensive yearlong task force under the revamped conscription system. The overhaul introduces extended training and enhanced support and aims to better integrate recruits transitioning from civilian life.
2024/03/05 17:48
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Hsinchu camp welcomes recruits under extended service plan
The first batch of recruits in Taiwan reported to Hsinchu County’s Litoushan Camp in Xinpu Township on Thursday (Jan. 25). The 206 Brigade’s Battalion 4 received 304 new recruits from the northern region, who will undergo an eight-week training program. The military restored its previous one-year conscription in line with the "Strengthening National Defense Force Structure Adjustment Plan." The training curriculum is divided into four stages, focusing on core values, fitness, rifle shooting, combat coaching, and weapon handling. All new soldiers underwent health screening and inspections upon arrival, including drug-sniffer dogs. Additionally, the recruits had their heads shaved after receiving their uniforms.
2024/01/25 16:41
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Taiwan reinstates 1-year mandatory military service
Taiwan has reinstated its compulsory military service, starting Jan. 1, 2024. The first batch of conscripts reported for an extensive training program at Chenggong Ling military training camp in Taichung, with improved pay and conditions, marking a significant moment in Taiwan’s defense strategy.
2024/01/25 16:29
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Taiwanese conscripts worry about salary gap despite raise
Taiwanese conscripts have expressed concerns that their monthly earnings still fall short of the country’s basic labor wage despite a recent salary increase. Privates, the lowest military rank, now receive a monthly salary of NT$26,307, including insurance and meal expenses. However, this amount is still lower than the standard basic labor wage of NT$27,470. Last year, President Tsai Ing-wen extended the mandatory conscription period to one year, and the wage adjustment for privates gained significant attention. Under the new system, privates can earn up to NT$20,320, consisting of a base wage of NT$10,130 and an additional NT$10,190 for specialized skills. In addition to their salary, they also receive military insurance (NT$1,240), national health insurance (NT$1,839), and a meal allowance (NT$908), bringing the total payment to NT$26,307. The first batch of 670 army conscripts for the one-year service started their eight-week entry training on January 25. Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an encouraged the privates to form sincere friendships, develop disciplined habits, and cultivate a sense of responsibility during their military life.
2024/01/25 15:11
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Young couples face trials as Taiwan extends military service
The first group of conscripts for the one-year compulsory military service in Taipei enlisted on January 25. These 670 young men will undergo an eight-week enlistment training. The extension of mandatory military service, approved by President Tsai Ing-wen last year, has posed emotional challenges for many young couples. Girlfriends accompanied their conscripted boyfriends to the Department of Compulsory Military Service’s Alternative Service Center, offering encouragement and expressing hope that military service would help their partners overcome bad habits and become more responsible. Despite the year-long separation, conscripts expressed faith in their relationships, although they couldn’t help but worry about the lack of constant communication. Various girlfriends reassured their worried boyfriends, saying, "Don’t worry!" The Ministry of National Defense stated that the decision to extend mandatory service was influenced by changing international situations, authoritarianism, defense combat needs, and the intensity of the four-month military training. It was also based on a comparative study of conscription systems in other countries.
2024/01/25 14:17
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Taiwan to equip new conscripts with combat gear in March
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) of Taiwan has announced that the first group of 650 conscription men will receive their individual combat gear on March 22 after completing basic training. The MND has allocated a budget of NT$4.04 billion for the "Xing’an project" from 2022 to 2024, which aims to improve the living conditions and quality of life for officers and soldiers. The conscripts will promptly receive their complete battle gear after basic training to carry out various combat training tasks. Sizing for the gear was conducted during the first week of conscription, with distribution scheduled for a week before graduation or before March 22. The MND’s comprehensive distribution of new style combat outfits, which has been ongoing for five years, includes 15 items such as tactical helmets, vests, and shock-absorbing elbow and knee guards.
2024/01/16 15:13