Prosecutors Investigate Taiwan’s Huang Kuo-chang Over Document Leak

Taiwan’s prosecutors have initiated an investigation into Huang Kuo-chang, the chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party, following allegations of leaking classified state documents. The probe comes after a complaint was filed by political commentator and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate for Taipei City councilor, Chang Ming-yu, on March 25, 2024. The complaint asserts that Huang violated the National Security Act by improperly removing sensitive materials related to a special defense budget from a legislative committee meeting.

During a closed-door session of the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, Huang participated in discussions concerning a significant budget of NT$1.25 trillion (approximately US$39.52 billion) earmarked for US arms procurement and Taiwan’s own weapons development efforts. Reports presented at the meeting included details on military deployments, advanced weapon purchases, and international cooperation, all of which are classified documents. Chang emphasized the potential harm to national security if such information were to be disclosed.

The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office has confirmed that they will investigate the allegations of a national security breach involving Huang. DPP Legislator Puma Shen raised concerns that Huang had two aides with him when he took the documents out of the meeting room. Shen suggested that the aides could have photographed the documents, potentially leading to a leak of state secrets.

DPP caucus secretary-general Chen Pei-yu mentioned that surveillance footage from the meeting indicated Huang was outside the room for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds, contradicting his claim that he was gone for only 30 seconds. According to Chen, the committee chair instructed a military officer to retrieve the documents from Huang. “His assertion that he returned on his own initiative is not true,” she stated.

Chen further noted that certain blind spots in the surveillance system may have allowed the aides time to document the classified materials. “That is sufficient time for Huang’s aides to take photos of the documents, page by page,” she commented.

In response to the allegations, Huang stated during a livestream that he was simply “being careless” and mistakenly mixed the classified documents with others when preparing to leave. He maintained that he returned the documents promptly and argued that they were not of significant confidentiality. Huang claimed that DPP members were exaggerating the sensitivity of the materials, asserting that the US will soon disclose the content of the special budget items, suggesting they will not remain classified for long.

As the investigation unfolds, it raises significant questions about the handling of sensitive information within Taiwan’s political landscape and its implications for national security. The outcome of the inquiry may influence both Huang’s political future and broader discussions regarding transparency and accountability in governmental processes.