Control Yuan Member: Past 'Ren Er' System Undermined Administrative Unity, Social Reconciliation Still Needs Effort
Control Yuan member Fan Sun-lu stated on the 4th, citing the case of former elementary school teacher Pan Song-dai who was punished by the 'Ren Er Office' for filing a petition during the authoritarian era, that the Ren Er system undermined administrative unity and violated human rights. She emphasized that uncovering historical truth is a necessary path to clearing authoritarian legacies, and that the government and civil society must continue to work towards the goals of the 'National Transitional Justice Education Action Guidelines' to achieve social reconciliation.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 18:29
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, 4th, reporter Yu Kai-hsiang) Control Yuan member Fan Sun-lu stated today that the case of former elementary school teacher Pan Song-dai, who was punished by the 'Ren Er Office' for filing a petition during the authoritarian era, highlights how the Ren Er system of that time undermined administrative unity and violated human rights. She emphasized that uncovering historical truth is a necessary path to clearing authoritarian legacies, and that the government and civil society must continue to work towards the goals of the 'National Transitional Justice Education Action Guidelines'.
The Control Yuan held a press conference titled 'Authoritarian-era Counterintelligence Work Damaged the Democratic Constitutional System.' The Control Yuan explained that Fan Sun-lu's investigation found that Pan Song-dai, a former teacher at Tianwei Elementary School in Changhua County, had in 1986 reported to then-Minister of Education Lee Huan that the Changhua County Government's 'Analects Teaching Experiment' was inappropriate. In response, the county government's 'Ren Er Office' punished him for filing a petition that bypassed the proper chain of command, resulting in him allegedly being denied performance bonuses and awards for outstanding teachers.
Fan Sun-lu pointed out that while this case originated from a single teacher's petition, it highlights the profound impact that the 'Security Office' and 'Ren Er System' had on the constitutional system, basic human rights, and the development of democratic politics during the authoritarian era (from August 15, 1945 to November 6, 1992). She stated that the government and civil society must continue to work towards the goals of the 'National Transitional Justice Education Action Guidelines'.
Fan Sun-lu stated that the 'Ren Er Office' was nominally part of each administrative agency's personnel department, but was actually under the command of the Investigation Bureau, forming an independent chain of command. The appointment and dismissal of its directors and deputy directors required the Investigation Bureau's approval, and the assignment, appointment, and dismissal of its staff also had to be filed with the Investigation Bureau for record. Counterintelligence personnel reported directly to the Investigation Bureau, were not under the substantive command of the agency head, and were even responsible for monitoring the agency head. This internal surveillance system existing within agencies led to contradictions in the internal command structure of the administrative system and a breakdown of trust, undermining administrative unity and the hierarchical command system.
Fan Sun-lu mentioned that the Ren Er system formed a security surveillance network by deploying 'confidentiality officers' and 'counterintelligence officers.' 'Confidentiality officers' were publicly designated by each agency, while 'counterintelligence officers' were assigned secretly.
Taking the Taipei City Government in 1987 as an example, a total of 2,535 counterintelligence officers were deployed that year, meaning on average one person was deployed for every 19 employees to monitor their colleagues, collecting hundreds of thousands of pieces of loyalty investigation and counterintelligence data. The surveillance methods of counterintelligence personnel included observing words and deeds, deploying volunteers, inspecting mail and telecommunications, conducting interviews and counseling, and even asking police officers to assist during off-duty hours.
Fan Sun-lu explained that the Ren Er system used a 'check first, use later' approach to restrict and review the hiring, promotion, and transfer of civil servants. The results of these checks were classified into five levels: 'loyal,' 'dutiful,' 'passive,' 'wavering,' and 'suspected communist bandit.' 'Wavering elements' were defined as those who had 'lost their revolutionary faith,' and this abstract standard was used as a reference for personnel appointments and transfers. This system not only violated privacy and freedom of thought but also created a climate of fear and a silenced society, encapsulated by the memory of 'walls have ears, and everyone has a little police headquarters in their heart,' destroying the foundation of mutual trust.
Fan Sun-lu finally emphasized that although Taiwan ended martial law in 1987, the 'Ren Er System' was not restructured until five years later, demonstrating the difficulty of transitioning from an authoritarian system. In the process of transitional justice, restoring historical truth is an important foundation for clarifying responsibility, healing trauma, and rebuilding social trust. It is also a necessary path for Taiwan to clear the legacy of authoritarianism. To achieve true social reconciliation, the government and civil society must continue to work towards the goals of the 'National Transitional Justice Education Action Guidelines,' building a historical memory based on the rule of law and human rights, and safeguarding the precious achievements of Taiwan's democratic transition. (Editor: Su Zhizong) June 4, 2026
The Control Yuan held a press conference titled 'Authoritarian-era Counterintelligence Work Damaged the Democratic Constitutional System.' The Control Yuan explained that Fan Sun-lu's investigation found that Pan Song-dai, a former teacher at Tianwei Elementary School in Changhua County, had in 1986 reported to then-Minister of Education Lee Huan that the Changhua County Government's 'Analects Teaching Experiment' was inappropriate. In response, the county government's 'Ren Er Office' punished him for filing a petition that bypassed the proper chain of command, resulting in him allegedly being denied performance bonuses and awards for outstanding teachers.
Fan Sun-lu pointed out that while this case originated from a single teacher's petition, it highlights the profound impact that the 'Security Office' and 'Ren Er System' had on the constitutional system, basic human rights, and the development of democratic politics during the authoritarian era (from August 15, 1945 to November 6, 1992). She stated that the government and civil society must continue to work towards the goals of the 'National Transitional Justice Education Action Guidelines'.
Fan Sun-lu stated that the 'Ren Er Office' was nominally part of each administrative agency's personnel department, but was actually under the command of the Investigation Bureau, forming an independent chain of command. The appointment and dismissal of its directors and deputy directors required the Investigation Bureau's approval, and the assignment, appointment, and dismissal of its staff also had to be filed with the Investigation Bureau for record. Counterintelligence personnel reported directly to the Investigation Bureau, were not under the substantive command of the agency head, and were even responsible for monitoring the agency head. This internal surveillance system existing within agencies led to contradictions in the internal command structure of the administrative system and a breakdown of trust, undermining administrative unity and the hierarchical command system.
Fan Sun-lu mentioned that the Ren Er system formed a security surveillance network by deploying 'confidentiality officers' and 'counterintelligence officers.' 'Confidentiality officers' were publicly designated by each agency, while 'counterintelligence officers' were assigned secretly.
Taking the Taipei City Government in 1987 as an example, a total of 2,535 counterintelligence officers were deployed that year, meaning on average one person was deployed for every 19 employees to monitor their colleagues, collecting hundreds of thousands of pieces of loyalty investigation and counterintelligence data. The surveillance methods of counterintelligence personnel included observing words and deeds, deploying volunteers, inspecting mail and telecommunications, conducting interviews and counseling, and even asking police officers to assist during off-duty hours.
Fan Sun-lu explained that the Ren Er system used a 'check first, use later' approach to restrict and review the hiring, promotion, and transfer of civil servants. The results of these checks were classified into five levels: 'loyal,' 'dutiful,' 'passive,' 'wavering,' and 'suspected communist bandit.' 'Wavering elements' were defined as those who had 'lost their revolutionary faith,' and this abstract standard was used as a reference for personnel appointments and transfers. This system not only violated privacy and freedom of thought but also created a climate of fear and a silenced society, encapsulated by the memory of 'walls have ears, and everyone has a little police headquarters in their heart,' destroying the foundation of mutual trust.
Fan Sun-lu finally emphasized that although Taiwan ended martial law in 1987, the 'Ren Er System' was not restructured until five years later, demonstrating the difficulty of transitioning from an authoritarian system. In the process of transitional justice, restoring historical truth is an important foundation for clarifying responsibility, healing trauma, and rebuilding social trust. It is also a necessary path for Taiwan to clear the legacy of authoritarianism. To achieve true social reconciliation, the government and civil society must continue to work towards the goals of the 'National Transitional Justice Education Action Guidelines,' building a historical memory based on the rule of law and human rights, and safeguarding the precious achievements of Taiwan's democratic transition. (Editor: Su Zhizong) June 4, 2026
FAQ
What was the 'Ren Er Office'?
It was a secret surveillance system within government agencies during Taiwan's authoritarian era, operating under the Investigation Bureau.
Why is the Pan Song-dai case important?
It is a symbolic case that concretely demonstrates the human rights violations of the Ren Er system.
What is the current state of transitional justice in Taiwan?
The government has formulated the 'National Transitional Justice Education Action Guidelines' aiming for social reconciliation through historical education.