Wu Nai-jen Detained in Civil Case: Court Rules Maximum 6-Month Term, Followed by Civil Negotiations
Wu Nai-jen, former Secretary-General of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party and ex-chairman of Taiwan Sugar Corporation, has been detained for failing to pay a NT$170 million compensation. The court ruled the detention can last up to six months, after which civil negotiations between creditor and debtor must continue.
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- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 19:23
- 🔍 Collected: June 13, 2026 at 00:43 (5h 20m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 13, 2026 at 09:48 (9h 5m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA reporter Su Mu-chun, Taichung, June 12) Wu Nai-jen, former Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party and ex-chairman of Taiwan Sugar Corporation, was detained yesterday for failing to fulfill a compensation obligation of NT$170 million in the Taiwan Sugar case. Taichung District Court stated that since this is a civil case, post-detention proceedings will require further legal actions and negotiations between the creditor and debtor, with the court making subsequent rulings.
Taichung District Court explained today that it accepted Taiwan Sugar Corporation's petition for compulsory enforcement against debtor Wu Nai-jen. However, as of the end of April 2025, the creditor has only partially recovered funds, with a substantial debt still outstanding.
Taiwan Sugar Corporation argued that Wu Nai-jen intentionally failed to fulfill his obligations, thus petitioning the court for detention under the Compulsory Enforcement Act. Wu voluntarily appeared on the 11th, and after judicial questioning, the court ruled that he refused to disclose his assets, did not provide adequate collateral, failed to comply with payment deadlines, and had previously evaded detention. As a result, the court approved his detention, and he has been transferred to Taichung Detention Center.
The court noted that under Article 24 of the Compulsory Enforcement Act, detention may not exceed three months. If new grounds arise, the debtor may be detained once more, but the total detention period must not exceed six months. Detention must cease upon expiration.
Regarding post-detention procedures, the court emphasized that since this is a civil matter, further legal actions and negotiations between creditor and debtor will be required, with the court rendering decisions based on both parties' submissions.
It should be noted that individuals detained under civil compulsory enforcement are not criminal defendants or convicts. They are held in detention facilities attached to prisons and are separated from criminal inmates. Detainees typically have individual cells, are not required to work in factories, and may receive food and clothing from family members. Their daily routines are relatively flexible.
Wu Nai-jen was accused of, during his tenure as chairman of Taiwan Sugar, altering the company's 'lease-only, no sale' policy at the request of former DPP legislator Hung Chi-chang, selling state-owned land at a low price to Chun Lung Company, which had supported Hung, causing Taiwan Sugar a loss of over NT$200 million. After a retrial, the Taichung Branch of Taiwan's High Court ruled in March 2014 that Wu had provided unlawful benefits to Chun Lung Company and sentenced him to nine months in prison.
Wu entered prison in May 2014 and, after sentence reduction, was released upon completion of his term from Hualien Prison Camp in January 2015. In the civil case, Wu and Chun Lung Company were ordered to jointly compensate Taiwan Sugar NT$110 million, which, with interest and additional liabilities, totals approximately NT$170 million.
The civil compensation case is under the jurisdiction of Taichung District Court. Taipei District Court, acting on Taichung's request, seized about NT$17 million in Wu's assets in December 2024. Taiwan Sugar later recovered NT$7 million. At the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025, Taiwan Sugar filed another petition for compulsory enforcement. (Editor: Long Bo-an) 1150612
(CNA reporter Su Mu-chun, Taichung, June 12) Wu Nai-jen, former Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party and ex-chairman of Taiwan Sugar Corporation, was detained yesterday for failing to fulfill a compensation obligation of NT$170 million in the Taiwan Sugar case. Taichung District Court stated that since this is a civil case, post-detention proceedings will require further legal actions and negotiations between the creditor and debtor, with the court making subsequent rulings.
Taichung District Court explained today that it accepted Taiwan Sugar Corporation's petition for compulsory enforcement against debtor Wu Nai-jen. However, as of the end of April 2025, the creditor has only partially recovered funds, with a substantial debt still outstanding.
Taiwan Sugar Corporation argued that Wu Nai-jen intentionally failed to fulfill his obligations, thus petitioning the court for detention under the Compulsory Enforcement Act. Wu voluntarily appeared on the 11th, and after judicial questioning, the court ruled that he refused to disclose his assets, did not provide adequate collateral, failed to comply with payment deadlines, and had previously evaded detention. As a result, the court approved his detention, and he has been transferred to Taichung Detention Center.
The court noted that under Article 24 of the Compulsory Enforcement Act, detention may not exceed three months. If new grounds arise, the debtor may be detained once more, but the total detention period must not exceed six months. Detention must cease upon expiration.
Regarding post-detention procedures, the court emphasized that since this is a civil matter, further legal actions and negotiations between creditor and debtor will be required, with the court rendering decisions based on both parties' submissions.
It should be noted that individuals detained under civil compulsory enforcement are not criminal defendants or convicts. They are held in detention facilities attached to prisons and are separated from criminal inmates. Detainees typically have individual cells, are not required to work in factories, and may receive food and clothing from family members. Their daily routines are relatively flexible.
Wu Nai-jen was accused of, during his tenure as chairman of Taiwan Sugar, altering the company's 'lease-only, no sale' policy at the request of former DPP legislator Hung Chi-chang, selling state-owned land at a low price to Chun Lung Company, which had supported Hung, causing Taiwan Sugar a loss of over NT$200 million. After a retrial, the Taichung Branch of Taiwan's High Court ruled in March 2014 that Wu had provided unlawful benefits to Chun Lung Company and sentenced him to nine months in prison.
Wu entered prison in May 2014 and, after sentence reduction, was released upon completion of his term from Hualien Prison Camp in January 2015. In the civil case, Wu and Chun Lung Company were ordered to jointly compensate Taiwan Sugar NT$110 million, which, with interest and additional liabilities, totals approximately NT$170 million.
The civil compensation case is under the jurisdiction of Taichung District Court. Taipei District Court, acting on Taichung's request, seized about NT$17 million in Wu's assets in December 2024. Taiwan Sugar later recovered NT$7 million. At the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025, Taiwan Sugar filed another petition for compulsory enforcement. (Editor: Long Bo-an) 1150612
FAQ
Why was Wu Nai-jen detained?
He failed to pay NT$170 million in compensation to Taiwan Sugar and refused to disclose assets or provide collateral, leading to civil detention under the Compulsory Enforcement Act.
What is the maximum duration of civil detention in Taiwan?
Up to 3 months per detention, extendable once for another 3 months if new grounds arise, totaling a maximum of 6 months.
What was the Taiwan Sugar land sale scandal?
Wu allegedly changed policy to sell state land cheaply to Chun Lung Company, a supporter of politician Hung Chi-chang, causing over NT$200 million in losses.
How are civil detainees treated in Taiwan?
They are held separately from criminals, given private cells, no forced labor, and can receive food and clothing from family members.
What happens after the detention period ends?
Civil negotiations and enforcement proceedings continue between Taiwan Sugar and Wu to recover the outstanding debt.