TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) was criticized on Friday (Nov. 22) by the Control Yuan for mishandling an investigation into the death of a Taiwanese diplomat in Brazil.

In March 2023, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Sao Paulo section chief Wang Chih-hua (王之化) fell to his death in a suspected suicide. Wang’s widow later accused TECO leader Feng Kwang-chung (馮光中) and other officials of creating a workplace environment rife with corruption and bullying.

According to the Control Yuan, MOFA failed to address systemic issues at TECO Sao Paulo or hold Feng accountable following Wang’s death, per CNA. A press release from the watchdog stated that the investigation exposed MOFA’s inability to effectively oversee its offices, damaging its reputation for integrity.

The Control Yuan also revealed that Feng was impeached for negligence and suspected procurement violations, including evidence of unclear accounting practices and a cash shortfall at the TECO office. It noted that two of the four Taiwanese staff at the office had requested early reassignment to Taiwan, while one had died by suicide—indicators of significant leadership issues.

Additionally, the Control Yuan found MOFA had not implemented workplace bullying prevention measures recommended by the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration before July 2024. The ministry also lacked a standard operating procedure for addressing workplace bullying.

Wang, who had served as a diplomat for over 30 years, was stationed in Sao Paulo for nine months before his death, reportedly falling from the 16th floor of his residential building.

In a letter to MOFA, Wang’s widow claimed that Feng had pressured Wang to approve exorbitant expenses for repairing and refurbishing Feng’s official diplomatic residence. When Wang refused to comply, Feng allegedly threatened to frame him for embezzlement. She asserted that the abusive work environment may have contributed to her husband’s suicide.