Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te made a declaration that the country plans to revive military tribunals in times of peace so they can try espionage, treason, and other offenses related to the military. The decision was made amid increasing worry about Chinese encroachment as Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over the self-ruling island.
Military Judges to Try Espionage Cases
At a press conference, Lai said the government is moving to revise the Military Trial Act, allowing “military judges to go back to the front line and work with prosecutorial and judicial officials in prosecuting criminal cases involving active-duty military personnel.”
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The revived military tribunals will handle cases of treason, aiding the enemy, divulging classified information, dereliction of duty, and insubordination.
Surge in Chinese Espionage Cases
Taiwanese officials reported a spike in the number of spying cases including retired and active military personnel. Between 2024 alone, Taiwan’s spy agency tried 64 people accused of spying for China, up from 48 in 2023 and only 10 in 2022.
The government views the revival of the military tribunals as an essential step in confronting this national security threat.
Legal and Political Implications
Taiwan banned peacetime military tribunals after decades of martial law, officially disbanding them following the controversial death of conscript Hung Chung-chiu in 2013. Hung, a young corporal, died of heatstroke just three days before completing his mandatory military service, sparking widespread protests and judicial reforms.
The amendments have to be ratified by Taiwan’s opposition-dominated parliament. Legal analyst Ryan Yen-Hsuan Chen from the Judicial Reform Foundation said that the amendments will only cover acts of espionage done by active soldiers in times of peace.
Toughening National Security
The government is securing security measures with growing pressure in Taiwan from Beijing. The reopening of military courts is a forceful move against espionage and other threats to the nation’s defenses.
Though the opposition will raise objections to the proposal, the increasing number of cases of espionage proves the urgency for reform. Once the new system of military trials is passed, it will contribute significantly towards defending the sovereignty of Taiwan against penetration by outside forces.
