Wellington Koo Hopes for Bipartisan Support for Cabinet's Defense Special Bill, Urges Swift Review
Defense Minister Wellington Koo urged cross-party support for the defense special bill, hoping for swift negotiations and budget review after KMT absent in talks.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 10:57
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 12:00 (1h 3m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 08:06 (236h 5m after Collected)
Chen Kuan-ting, a DPP legislator and convener of the Foreign and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan, hosted a party caucus negotiation on the draft defense special bill yesterday. However, the Kuomintang (KMT) caucus was absent. Chen ultimately ruled that due to the lack of KMT representatives, no consensus could be reached, and another date would be chosen to continue negotiations.
The Legislative Yuan continued its general policy interpellations today. Wellington Koo was interviewed by the media before entering the assembly hall this morning.
The media asked if another convener of the committee, Ma Wen-chun, scheduling an inspection of the eastern region on the 15th and 16th might further delay the schedule of party negotiations for the special bill draft.
Koo stated that party negotiations and committee itineraries do not necessarily have to be linked, so another date can be arranged for negotiations. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) still hopes to conduct party negotiations and reach a consensus as quickly as possible during this period. He also hopes that everyone can rationally review the strengthening of national defense, gain cross-party support, and gradually discuss consensus articles. Of course, he still hopes for support for the MND's version (the Cabinet's 'Draft Special Act for Procurement of the Plan to Strengthen Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities').
Koo explained that he hopes this can be done as soon as possible because only after the bill is reviewed can the budget plan be passed promptly, which is the MND's greatest expectation.
Koo emphasized his hope for swift party negotiations to reach a consensus, noting that there is still the budget bill to process after the special bill passes. Therefore, he hopes the bill passes quickly, and the budget bill must also undergo review. The MND's stance is to hope the version it proposed receives support, enabling rapid negotiations and prompt final budget review. (Edited by Lin Shu-yuan) 1150410
The Legislative Yuan continued its general policy interpellations today. Wellington Koo was interviewed by the media before entering the assembly hall this morning.
The media asked if another convener of the committee, Ma Wen-chun, scheduling an inspection of the eastern region on the 15th and 16th might further delay the schedule of party negotiations for the special bill draft.
Koo stated that party negotiations and committee itineraries do not necessarily have to be linked, so another date can be arranged for negotiations. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) still hopes to conduct party negotiations and reach a consensus as quickly as possible during this period. He also hopes that everyone can rationally review the strengthening of national defense, gain cross-party support, and gradually discuss consensus articles. Of course, he still hopes for support for the MND's version (the Cabinet's 'Draft Special Act for Procurement of the Plan to Strengthen Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities').
Koo explained that he hopes this can be done as soon as possible because only after the bill is reviewed can the budget plan be passed promptly, which is the MND's greatest expectation.
Koo emphasized his hope for swift party negotiations to reach a consensus, noting that there is still the budget bill to process after the special bill passes. Therefore, he hopes the bill passes quickly, and the budget bill must also undergo review. The MND's stance is to hope the version it proposed receives support, enabling rapid negotiations and prompt final budget review. (Edited by Lin Shu-yuan) 1150410