Prosecutor General Appointment Hearing: Scholars Concerned About Non-Disclosure of Investigations
The Legislative Yuan's Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee and Internal Administration Committee held a public hearing for the Prosecutor General's appointment, with President Lai Ching-te nominating Hsu Hsi-hsiang. Scholars and experts questioned Hsu's suitability, particularly regarding the non-disclosure of investigations, arguing that the close ties between the investigative system and the media could compromise judicial fairness. Deputy Minister of Justice Feng Cheng stated that the opinions would be provided to Hsu for the committee's review.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 13:47
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The term of Prosecutor General Hsing Tai-chao of the Supreme Prosecutors Office expires on May 7, 115. President Lai Ching-te has nominated Hsu Hsi-hsiang as the Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors Office and has requested the Legislative Yuan to exercise its right of consent. The Legislative Yuan's Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee and Internal Administration Committee held a public hearing today, with Deputy Minister of Justice Feng Cheng in attendance.
Chen Hung-ta, Chief Prosecutor of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, stated that although Hsu Hsi-hsiang has extensive administrative experience, whether he has left behind verifiable contributions to case handling is a very important aspect of a Prosecutor General's suitability. After reading Hsu Hsi-hsiang's autobiography, his most fatal weakness is his failure to present core achievements.
Chen Hung-ta pointed out that he suggests the Legislative Yuan's review of Hsu Hsi-hsiang's suitability in the future can focus on several core issues, including requiring a concrete explanation of his performance in handling major cases and how to deal with political connections and power distance.
Lawyer Yeh Ching-yuan said that some situations seen in recent years are worrying, including the increasingly close relationship between the investigative system and the media. When prosecutors use specific media to portray defendants as guilty, influencing public opinion, and ultimately affecting the probability of specific defendants being convicted, this is unacceptable.
Wu Ching-chin, a professor in the Department of Law at Aletheia University, stated that Hsu Hsi-hsiang's description of his personality traits in his autobiography seems quite rich, but in his view, it is vague and elusive. Although Hsu Hsi-hsiang said that one should not only pursue conviction rates, which he agrees with, the Ministry of Justice has always emphasized conviction rates.
Li Sheng-chieh, an associate professor at National Chengchi University College of Law, said that he feels that the investigative system has not been able to improve on the issue of non-disclosure of investigations. In the past, the relevant investigative system sometimes made people suspect leaks. How to plug the loopholes is what the people expect from the prosecutorial system, and he hopes that Hsu Hsi-hsiang can propose concrete actions and improvement methods.
Taiwan People's Party Legislator Chen Chao-tzu, who registered to speak, said that she believes this personnel consent right case is essentially a vote of confidence in the judiciary. The Legislative Yuan's responsibility is not just to simply review an individual, but to ask whether the nominee can make the people believe again, and whether they can face political pressure without bowing down, cooperating, or selectively handling cases.
Feng Cheng stated before the meeting adjourned that he would provide the opinions of experts and scholars to Hsu Hsi-hsiang, and perhaps Hsu would express relevant opinions during the legislators' questioning when the committee reviews the case on the 9th. (Edited by Zhai Sijia) 1150408
Chen Hung-ta, Chief Prosecutor of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, stated that although Hsu Hsi-hsiang has extensive administrative experience, whether he has left behind verifiable contributions to case handling is a very important aspect of a Prosecutor General's suitability. After reading Hsu Hsi-hsiang's autobiography, his most fatal weakness is his failure to present core achievements.
Chen Hung-ta pointed out that he suggests the Legislative Yuan's review of Hsu Hsi-hsiang's suitability in the future can focus on several core issues, including requiring a concrete explanation of his performance in handling major cases and how to deal with political connections and power distance.
Lawyer Yeh Ching-yuan said that some situations seen in recent years are worrying, including the increasingly close relationship between the investigative system and the media. When prosecutors use specific media to portray defendants as guilty, influencing public opinion, and ultimately affecting the probability of specific defendants being convicted, this is unacceptable.
Wu Ching-chin, a professor in the Department of Law at Aletheia University, stated that Hsu Hsi-hsiang's description of his personality traits in his autobiography seems quite rich, but in his view, it is vague and elusive. Although Hsu Hsi-hsiang said that one should not only pursue conviction rates, which he agrees with, the Ministry of Justice has always emphasized conviction rates.
Li Sheng-chieh, an associate professor at National Chengchi University College of Law, said that he feels that the investigative system has not been able to improve on the issue of non-disclosure of investigations. In the past, the relevant investigative system sometimes made people suspect leaks. How to plug the loopholes is what the people expect from the prosecutorial system, and he hopes that Hsu Hsi-hsiang can propose concrete actions and improvement methods.
Taiwan People's Party Legislator Chen Chao-tzu, who registered to speak, said that she believes this personnel consent right case is essentially a vote of confidence in the judiciary. The Legislative Yuan's responsibility is not just to simply review an individual, but to ask whether the nominee can make the people believe again, and whether they can face political pressure without bowing down, cooperating, or selectively handling cases.
Feng Cheng stated before the meeting adjourned that he would provide the opinions of experts and scholars to Hsu Hsi-hsiang, and perhaps Hsu would express relevant opinions during the legislators' questioning when the committee reviews the case on the 9th. (Edited by Zhai Sijia) 1150408
FAQ
Who has been nominated as the Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors Office?
President Lai Ching-te has nominated Hsu Hsi-hsiang as the Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors Office.
What were the main issues of concern for scholars and experts during the public hearing?
Scholars and experts primarily focused on Hsu Hsi-hsiang's contributions to case handling, how he manages political connections and power distance, and the issue of non-disclosure of investigations.