TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A former military officer has been sentenced to five years and four months for attempting to recruit fellow officers to spy for China.
The Taiwan High Court ruled that Lieutenant Colonel Kung Fan-chia (孔繁嘉), who once served at the Military News Agency, was introduced during his service to a Xiamen Municipal Government official with links to the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, per CNA.
In November 2006 and April 2008, Kung received US$6,000 and US$5,700 (NT$177,000 and NT$168,000) in exchange for arranging for active-duty or retired military personnel to travel to China or third countries. There, Chinese Communist Party officials would host them and attempt to gather military intelligence or recruit them.
Kung retired on Aug. 17, 2012. Between 2014 and 2016, he received 60,000 yuan (NT$246,000) from Chinese officials. In 2017, he invited an active-duty officer surnamed Wang (王) to visit China or a third location, but Wang declined and the plan failed.
Kung tried again in April and May 2019, inviting a retired officer, also surnamed Wang, to China, where they were hosted by CCP officials. In 2020, he arranged for another retired officer to meet with Chinese officials abroad, but the plan was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He later provided a CCP contact to the officer, who ultimately did not follow up.
Kung argued that his actions while at the Military News Agency did not violate specific duties of his post and therefore should not be considered bribery tied to official responsibilities.
A lower court found him guilty on one charge and sentenced him to five years and six months. On appeal, the High Court ruled that under Article 138 of the Constitution, the Military Service Act, the Civil Servants Service Act, and the National Security Act, military personnel are bound by special obligations to safeguard national security.
The court found Kung guilty of two crimes: accepting bribes in violation of the Anti-Corruption Act and attempting to develop an organization for China with intent to endanger national security under the National Security Act.
The High Court noted that although Kung did not begin his recruitment activities while still in service, he remained bound by military duties. The court rejected the lower court’s finding of only one offense and adjusted the sentence based on Kung’s confession and return of illegal proceeds.
He was sentenced to five years and four months in prison. The ruling is still subject to appeal.
