Yi Guangyang's Military Service Case: Ministry of the Interior Requests Taoyuan City to Investigate, Declines to Comment on Individual Case

(Central News Agency reporters Yeh Su-ping and Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, July 16) The military service status of Taoyuan City council candidate Yi Guangyang has sparked public debate. The Conscription Administration of the Ministry of the Interior stated today that, having received a formal complaint, it has requested the Taoyuan City Government to conduct further investigation. No deadline or expected outcome has been set for the inquiry. The Ministry emphasized that all cases involving draft evasion will be handled according to relevant laws and evidence, and will not respond to individual cases during the investigation.

It has been reported that Yi Guangyang, son of Kuomintang legislator Wan Mei-ling and a candidate for the Taoyuan City Council, avoided military service in the past due to weighing 120 kilograms, raising public skepticism. During a post-Cabinet press conference, media questioned whether the Ministry of the Interior had formally opened an investigation following a named complaint, whether results were available, and whether Yi could legally be required to serve under current regulations.

Chen Yu-hsing, Deputy Director of the Conscription Administration, explained that the original determination was made by the Taoyuan City Government based on physical examination results and constituted an administrative decision. Given the high public interest, the Ministry, upon receiving the complaint, has followed due process by requesting Taoyuan City to conduct further review. No timeline or anticipated outcome has been established; the matter currently remains under local government review.

Vice Minister Tung Chien-hung further stated that the Ministry does not comment on individual cases. According to Article 14 of the 'Conscription Regulations,' individuals may apply to local authorities for re-examination or reclassification of their physical status. The Ministry affirmed that any case involving suspected draft evasion, if supported by evidence and formal complaint, will be processed in accordance with the 'Military Service Act' and the 'Criminal Punishment Act for Obstructing Military Service.'

He emphasized that, in line with the principle of non-disclosure during investigations, the Ministry will not provide public responses regarding ongoing cases. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang) 1150716

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