Interior Ministry confirms celebs were aware of draft evasion crackdown

Interior Ministry confirms celebs were aware of draft evasion crackdown

2025-10-22

The crackdown on military service evaders began back in February, after actor Wang Da-lu was exposed for having provided fake medical records from a forgery ring. Though the scandal has come as a shock to many, it seems that the celebrities detained were not caught by surprise. Rumors have cropped up that the entertainers had long been aware that they were being investigated. On Wednesday, the Ministry of the Interior indirectly confirmed the rumors.

Liu Shyh-fang
Minister of the Interior
When local governments or district prosecutors offices notified them in the first instance, they were told that if they surrendered themselves, their cases would be processed more leniently. Some of them did not respond to the notification in the affirmative, so their cases were transferred to prosecutors for investigation.

According to the ministry, up to 16% of men called up for military service were exempted from serving in 2023, a suspiciously high figure. It has launched an investigation with the Ministry of National Defense, to find the cause for the high exemption rates and uncover any medical document forgeries. In addition, arrangements will be made to prevent conscripts from evading service due to illness, by analyzing the patient’s medical records and retesting where necessary.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#militaryservice #evader #crackdown #military #draft #dodger

藝人早知"查辦閃兵案" 劉世芳:有些人沒正確回覆才移送地檢

2025-10-22

藝人閃兵風波，從藝人王大陸今年2月爆出偽造病歷閃兵，檢警追查「閃兵代辦集團」開始，到這次第三波拘提，雖然震驚社會，但被查的藝人可能並不意外，傳出這些藝人早知道自己被查，內政部長劉世芳也間接證實了這項傳聞。

[[內政部長劉世芳]]
“縣市地方政府或者是地檢署這邊，在第一次通知的時候，都有特別提到，如果他們願意出來，所謂的自首的話，會用比較緩和的方式來宣判，有些人他其實，接到地方政府的通知的時候，就是沒有做正確的回覆，所以才會移送地檢署來偵辦”

另外，劉世芳也表示，112年役男免役率高達16%，不可能這麼高。針對國內役男免役率過高、體檢造假等問題，已和國防部等相關部會共同研商，會勾稽役男過往健保就醫記錄，或是安排住院複檢，來避免役男「因病閃兵」的可能性。

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Premier Cho Jung-tai has formed the central emergency response center for African swine fever, after a suspected domestic outbreak was reported with pigs testing positive for the disease in Taichung.

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One-by-one, the crane lifts dead pigs onto the truck. They are to be delivered to a designated burial site. The 3km perimeter of this pig farm is now a restricted zone. Vehicles in contact with the area will be strictly monitored.

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There are a total of seven pig farms that transportation vehicles pass through. We have implemented access restrictions on these farms.

The Ministry of Agriculture also announced seven major response measures, including a nation-wide ban on the transportation and slaughtering of pigs, as well as using kitchen waste as feed, for a total of five days.

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We must determine the cause of the disease and conduct thorough pathological examinations to trace its source. We must stabilize market supply, and more importantly, keep prices stable. We must distribute frozen meat to meet market demand.

Cho details some of the first response measures the government must take to weather this crisis.

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So far, no signs pointing to a larger outbreak have been found at the farm where the infected pigs were purchased, the transport vehicles that visited the farm, or any pig farms within the 3km zone. Response measures must be implemented as quickly and extensively as possible to minimize the risk of an epidemic.

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For many people, a strong cup of coffee is the best way to kickstart the day. But one Kaohsiung café customer recently found something strange in their morning cocoa.

Small, clear balls rise to the surface. But these aren’t tapioca pearls. They’re silica gel desiccants. A customer ordered a hazelnut chocolate drink and first thought the crunchy addition was hazelnuts, but soon discovered the unfortunate truth.

Member of public
If this happened to me, I would definitely bepretty outraged, but I would see what their attitude was like.

Member of public
I would feel out of sorts because they’re bad for your health.

It’s scary to accidently swallow silica gel because people worry it could affect their health. Yet the customer said the store manager only gave a refund and told them to monitor their condition, without offering any apology or compensation.

Café employee
One packet of silica gel broke, so some of it got mixed in when I was making the drink. I didn’t notice it because it’s transparent. I’m usually very careful, but it’s a serious mistake for something like this to happen. I’m very sorry.

The employee explained that there was a packet of silica gel in a jar of cocoa power to keep it dry. But they didn’t notice the packet had broken open in the jar, so some got mixed in with the cocoa powder and put into the drink. The café said it would take responsibility if the customer had any adverse health effects. One doctor warned that if you accidently ingest desiccants, you should never try to vomit it up.

Kao Ta-cheng
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One type of desiccant generates heat. It harms the esophagus when swallowed, so should never be vomited back up.

Most silica gel is actually harmless. If ingested, it would not be digested and would simply pass through the body. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay find some in your coffee. The local health department sent personnel to inspect this café and said it would issue a fine if it found any serious offenses.

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Ju Ming’s wooden sculptures of ordinary people now on display

Today we take you to see an exhibit by the late renowned Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming. His "Living World Series" showcases wooden sculptures of city dwellers from all walks of life. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look!

The series shows 89 wood sculpture pieces depicting 128 individuals. There are sculptures of women, families, lovers, and professionals of various occupations. They were created with chainsaws, using a “rapid cutting technique” on Chinese Fir.

Chen Chia-jen
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He hopes to use the spirit of a sculpture installation to present the feeling of urban crowds. In this wood carving, Ju Ming uses Chinese Fir to carve his characters. The characteristics of Chinese fir are that on the one hand, its wood grain is straight. On the other hand, this wood is relatively soft. He used a chain saw to cut out the shape of the character. He also used his hands to pry open some places to present an organic texture. At the same time, you can also see the hair in this work. He made the lines of the hair to be more prominent.

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Keelung temple honoring Monkey King reopens doors after four years

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Up on mountainous Zhongchuan Road in Keelung is a rare temple in Taiwan dedicated to Sun Wu-kong, the Monkey King from “Journey to the West”.

Shengji Temple closed for four years due to the pandemic, but now it’s finally reopening its doors.

The long-shuttered temple finally pulled back the veil on its classic roof sculptures and rare ceramic wall murals. Standing in the place of honor, donning a headband is the Monkey King. Back when the temple was at its height, many people came especially to honor him.

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People who came here to pray found it incredibly effective, so it attracted more people to come. Everyone brought their hopes and dreams here, and after praying, they came true. So for a while it was incredibly—I should say unprecedentedly—crowded. And that’s how word spread.

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Back in 1978 it was so lively. Every day, tour buses of people would come. Of course, it will be very lively after reopening, too.

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Energy’s Kunda admits to buying forged docs to dodge conscription

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Kunda from boy band Energy has admitted to dodging conscription. After being released on bail of NT$500,000, he had this to say.

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I’m sorry for disappointing and worrying so many people. I will take full responsibility for what I must, and will cooperate fully with any investigations. Thank you all, I’m sorry.

Hands together, he bows in apology. Kunda is among several celebrities caught in a third wave of crackdowns on military service evaders. When police went to his residence on Tuesday, his wife informed them he had just left for a work trip in Canada. He found out right after landing, and immediately flew back to Taiwan, where he was detained at the airport.

- Kunda, any thoughts you’d like to share?
- Thank you. Thank you.

Fellow Energy member Toro put his projects on hold to return to Taiwan with Kunda. He dispelled rumors that all five Energy members had dodged military service.

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I went through a regular health screening at the hospital, enlisted in the military and completed the required alternative military service. Kunda has no option but to face up to his mistakes. He was very proactive about it and booked a flight back right away.

Kunda said he met a contact surnamed Chen through an acquaintance in 2010, and paid NT$200,000 to NT$300,000 to obtain a forged medical document stating that he had hypertension to evade his military service. He says he doesn’t remember exactly how he got in contact with Chen.

Kunda could lose endorsement deals with six brands due to the scandal, which would force him to pay millions in compensatory damages.

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