Government appoints first female Judicial Yuan president

Government appoints first female Judicial Yuan president

2024-08-30

Taiwan may soon to see its first female Judicial Yuan president. At a press conference on Friday, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim announced seven nominations for Constitutional Court judges, including Chang Wen-chen, a distinguished professor at National Taiwan University’s College of Law. Chang is simultaneously also the first woman to be nominated to be Judicial Yuan president. The vice presidential nominee is former Legislator Yao Li-ming. If the opposition-dominated Legislature approves these nominations, the proportion of women among Constitutional Court justices will hit a record high.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice president
We nominate Ms. Chang Wen-chen as a grand justice and Judicial Yuan president, and Mr. Yao Li-ming as a grand justice and vice president.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is the convener of a committee charged with head hunting Constitutional Court justices for the Judicial Yuan. She personally announced the new list of nominees, seven in all.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice president
Ms. Chang Wen-chen is the first female nominated to be a Judicial Yuan president. Mr. Yao Li-ming has rich experience in participating in constitutional reform and clearly understands the overall context of the development of Taiwan’s democracy. We look forward to this new generation of justices that transcend the political aisle and will lead the promotion of judicial reform, with progressive values and concepts that are compatible with our people’s sense of fairness.

Seven of the 15 serving judges on the Constitutional Court will see their terms expire on Oct. 31. Under President Lai Ching-te, a new list of nominees was announced in accordance with additional provisions of the Constitution. Among them, the nominee for Judicial Yuan president is Chang Wen-chen, a distinguished professor at National Taiwan University’s College of Law. She had been involved in interpreting the Constitution when same-sex marriage was being legalized and adultery was decriminalized. The nominee for vice president is Yao Li-ming, a former legislator and current chairman of a foundation dedicated to monitoring the Legislature. If the appointments are approved by the Legislature, close to half of all the Constitutional Court justices will be women, the highest number in Taiwan’s history.

Chang Wen-chen
Judicial Yuan president nominee
The first time President Lai asked me to serve as Judicial Yuan president was the first time we met. He told me he had been observing me for a long time, and I would like to give him my wholehearted thanks for his faith in me. If I gain the trust and approval of the Legislative Yuan, as Judicial Yuan president, my most important task will be to build social trust in our courts and defend human rights and the rule of law in our democratic Constitution.

The nominations represent a push towards gender equality. Hsiao said she hoped that the nominations could win the Legislature’s approval, so that the functions of the Constitutional Court could continue to flourish and the progress of the constitutional system could be promoted.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

大法官提名出爐! 張文女首位女性司法院長被提名人

2024-08-30

總統府今天(30)召開記者會，由副總統蕭美琴，公布7位司法院大法官提名人名單，其中，院長被提名人，為台大法學院特聘教授張文貞，也是首位女性院長被提名人，副院長被提名人，則是前立委姚立明。若經立院同意通過，全體大法官的女性比例，將創下史上新高。

[[副總統蕭美琴]]
“提名張文貞女士為司法院大法官並為院長，姚立明先生為大法官並為副院長”

副總統蕭美琴，擔任司法院大法官審薦小組召集人，親自公布新任提名人名單，合計共7人。

[[副總統蕭美琴]]
“張文貞女士是首位女性司法院長被提名人，姚立明先生富有參與憲政改革經驗，洞悉台灣民主發展脈絡，期待這個不同世代，超越黨派的組合，以進步的價值理念，兼容國民正當法律感情，領導推動司法改革”

現任15位大法官，有7位將在10月31日屆滿，總統賴清德依照憲法增修條文，提名新任名單，其中司法院長被提名人，為台大法學院特聘教授張文貞，曾任同婚、通姦除罪化釋憲鑑定人。副院長被提名人，則是前立委、現任國會觀察文教基金會董事長姚立明。倘若人事案經立法院同意，全體大法官將有近一半都是女性，是史上最多。

[[司法院長被提名人張文貞]]
“總統請我擔任司法院長的那一次，是總統跟我的第一次見面，總統直言說他觀察我很久了，我衷心感謝總統的信任，如獲立法院的信任同意，身為司法院院長，我最重要的任務，就是建構法院的社會信任，以及捍衛民主憲政的法治與人權”

大法官人事案，展現性別平權，蕭美琴表示，期盼獲得立法院同意，讓司法法庭繼續發揮功能，推動憲政體制進步。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

3 detained, Ko’s house searched in Core Pacific City corruption scandal

2024-08-30

Lai Confers awards on non-commissioned officers

President Lai Ching-te on Friday morning made a special visit to the defense ministry to hand out awards to model non-commissioned officers and squads in celebration of Armed Forces Day. In his speech, he vowed to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and freedom and democracy. However, he also said Taiwan should become the world’s “helmsman” for global peace. He noted that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are indispensable to global prosperity.

Lai Ching-te
President
Each member of our national military, and each unit, is an indispensable force in defending national sovereignty. I wish you all a happy Armed Forces Day.

In his capacity as commander-in-chief, President Lai Ching-te was accompanied by defense minister Wellington Koo, as he conferred awards on model soldiers.

Lai Ching-te
President
Admiral Chiang’s son has been exposed to the military since he was a child. He is about to become a freshman at the Air Force Academy. The baton has been handed from one generation to another for the nation. Private First Class Chung’s mother has no way of being here as she is undergoing chemotherapy, but I hope mother Chung knows that to be recognized as a role model in the nation’s military, he must have performed extremely well.

President Lai listed the non-commissioned officers who received awards one by one for their efforts in protecting the nation, and he did not forget to mention their spouses and children. In his address, he mentioned his defense and diplomatic policies, as he insisted on defending national sovereignty. He also stressed Taiwan’s determination to use its utmost strength to protect peace in the Taiwan Strait.

Lai Ching-te
President
Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are an indispensable element in global security and prosperity. Taiwan must be the helmsman of peace. We will uphold the four pillars, jointly protect our cherished democracy and freedom, insist on defending national sovereignty to protect Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and let the Taiwan Strait develop peacefully.

Lai invites all Taiwanese to support the nation’s military and the government has taken the lead in increasing the nation’s defense budget because a “true peace” cannot be reached without strength.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-08-30

Asian American voters culturally, politically diverse

Since 2020, Asian Americans have been the fastest-growing group of eligible voters in the U.S., according to Pew Research Center. In 2022, California had the most eligible Asian American voters in the U.S., followed by New York and Texas. From Houston, Texas, VOA’s Elizabeth Lee has more on the potential and challenges of the Asian American vote.

For flavors from Asia, Houston, Texas is a one-stop-shop. The foods found here reflect the melting pot of Asian cultures living in the counties that make up the Greater Houston region. One of them is suburban Fort Bend County, where Asians make up more than 21% of the population. It’s also where Chinese American immigrant JJ Clemence lives.

JJ Clemence
Chinese American
I think for either party, they really cannot, cannot afford to ignore the Asian community.

Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the U.S., according to Census data. Voter turnout among this group has also seen record increases in the past two presidential elections. The Democratic nominee for president, Kamala Harris, has taken notice and recently released two ads targeting Asians. More Asian Americans call themselves Democrat than Republican. One reason: More than half of Asian American voters are immigrants.

Becky Kim
Korean American
I think Trump’s policies hurt minorities a lot.

Richard Murray
University of Houston senior research fellow
A lot of his policies not only took aim at illegal immigrants from Mexico or South America, but also restricted legal immigration.

Still, a 2024 survey of Asian American voters found that 22% identify as Republicans.

Daniel Wong
Chinese American
Less government is what Asians want. You know, more freedom and less tax.

The survey also found 31% of Asian American voters identify as independents. But 42% of Asian American voters surveyed say they have not been contacted by political candidates or a political party. Daniel Wong, who had served in local elected office, says Asian American voters are partly responsible.

Daniel Wong
Chinese American
We are not organized; we don’t understand the American political system. That’s why we don’t know how we’re going to energize to put our energy together to shoot for whatever common goal, which we don’t have.

The projected 15 million Asian Americans eligible to vote have roots in different countries. During the last presidential election, close to 60% of Asian Americans voted. Political activists say forming relationships with new Asian-American citizens and educating them about the political process will mobilize them to get involved.

Elizabeth Lee, VOA News, Houston

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-08-30

New Grand Hotel head aspires to Michelin Guide nod

2024-08-30

Pomelo farmers raise chickens for leopard cats

2024-08-30

Xiao Xiang-wen bags Taiwan’s first medal at Paris Paralympics

Taiwan has won its first medal at the Paris Paralympics, and its first medal ever in taekwondo at the event. The medal winner is taekwondo practitioner Xiao Xiang-wen, who competed in the men’s K44 58-kilogram division. Xiao says his next goal is to win gold at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028.

Xiao Xiang-wen and his coach Wu Yen-ni trot around the ring hoisting Taiwan’s Paralympic flag. Xiao’s bronze medal is Taiwan’s first at the Paris Paralympics. It is also Taiwan’s first ever medal in taekwondo at this competition. In the semifinal, Xiao had been up against Israel’s Asaf Yasur, the top seeded fighter. He lost the match 16-6, leaving him in the match for bronze against Spanish rising star Joel Martín Villalobos.

Xiao put on an outstanding offense, winning the match 16-8 and bagging bronze. Though he hadn’t achieved his goal of winning gold, he says the bronze was not a bad result. As a university student, Xiao had been intending to join Taiwan’s national taekwondo team. But before the qualifiers, he was injured in a car accident that damaged a network of nerves in his right arm. Now 25, he has made it to the Paralympic team, and won a bronze to boot. He had his coach to thank.

Xiao Xiang-wen
Taekwondo practitioner
Coach, I love you. Thank you for being with me on this hard journey. It has been exhausting to try to earn points to get on this stage and we had to constantly go abroad for competitions. That left her with very little time to spend with her family.

Wu said she was very aware of the tremendous effort Xiao had made to win the bronze medal.

Wu Yen-ni
Xiao Xiang-wen’s coach
It is already extremely hard for able-bodied people to achieve this. And especially for him, having emerged from a low point in life. The injury in his right arm made things more difficult, as it impacted his ability to write and type. So studying and handing in homework became more difficult, but he overcame all the obstacles in his way.

The duo now have their sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, where Xiao hopes to turn his bronze to gold.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-08-30

Six golds and one silver at kettlebell world championship

2024-08-30

Aerial yoga has its risks, instructor says

2024-08-30

Hualien snack box maker delighted after ‘scam’ buyer turns out to be Mayday

2024-08-30

Quake warning system updated, droughts possible this autumn: CWA

The government’s earthquake early warning system is getting an overhaul. Starting September, warnings will be expanded to include areas where the predicted intensity of the tremor is as low as 3, provided its magnitude is at least 6.5. In related news, meteorologists expect rain and temperatures this autumn to be within a normal range. However, they also don’t rule out warmer weather and rains heavier than average.

A 7.2 earthquake struck Hualien on April 3, shaking the ground in many areas of Taiwan. Its intensity reached a 4 in greater Taipei, which is in theory high enough for the government to send an early quake alert. But no warnings were sent out, giving rise to much controversy. Now, the system’s standards are getting an update.

Wu Chien-fu
Seismologist
The biggest energy release during the April 3 earthquake happened at the 16 to 17 second mark. Under the current system, we only send out warnings when the intensity hits the threshold at level 4. But after these adjustments, we can send a warning earlier, so that when the strong shockwave hits, everyone has two to three more seconds to react.

Under current rules, early warning messages are only sent out when an earthquake’s magnitude is 5 or more and its predicted intensity in the area is at least a 4. Starting Sept. 1, warnings will also be dispatched when the predicted intensity is 3 or more, provided the quake’s magnitude is at least 6.5. In related news, the Central Weather Administration says temperatures this autumn will be average or slightly warmer than usual. Precipitation is expected to be either within normal levels or more abundant.

Chen Yi-liang
Meteorologist
Usually, some low pressure systems form, and low pressure bands remain in the vicinity. When that happens, there is a possibility of rains all over Taiwan. After October, we’ll see some changes to low-pressure currents to the south of Taiwan, and northeasterly winds will start prevailing near Taiwan.

The meteorologist said that starting October, rains will mainly be concentrated in Northern Taiwan. He urged residents in Central and Southern Taiwan to conserve water, as the area could experience droughts.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-08-30