Chung Wen-chih's Additional Bail Ruling Not Announced or Served Led to Impeachment; Judge: Should Have Been More Cautious

(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chang-shun, Taipei 17th) Wealthy businessman Chung Wen-chih absconded while on bail and was wanted. High Court Judge Chen Yung-sung, after the collegiate panel deliberated on Chung Wen-chih's additional bail and non-extension of electronic monitoring, failed to announce and serve the ruling, leading to his impeachment by the Control Yuan and referral to the Disciplinary Court for trial, which opened today. Chen Yung-sung stated that he should have been more cautious.

Chung Wen-chih was involved in violating the Securities Exchange Act and was sentenced to a total of 30 years and 5 months in prison. He later absconded while on bail and was wanted by the prosecutor. The Taiwan High Court collegiate panel's decision in October 2023 not to extend Chung Wen-chih's electronic monitoring and only require an additional bail of NT$20 million, without producing and serving a written ruling, caused controversy. The prosecutor claimed not to have received the ruling and thus could not appeal.

The Judicial Evaluation Committee resolved in August last year to refer Presiding Judge Chiu Chung-yi to the Judicial Yuan's Personnel Review Committee and Judge Chen Yung-sung to the Disciplinary Court, recommending a 10-month salary reduction. The Control Yuan passed the impeachment of Chen Yung-sung in October of the same year, referring him to the Disciplinary Court's Professional Conduct Tribunal for trial.

The Disciplinary Court's Professional Conduct Tribunal held a preparatory hearing today, summoning Chen Yung-sung to appear. Chen Yung-sung stated that he made the ruling based on the "presumption of innocence" and did not realize the severity and public attention of Chung Wen-chih's crime, admitting he should have been more careful and thorough.

Chen Yung-sung said he asked the court to make an appropriate ruling based on the principles of fairness and proportionality, and that he would humbly accept any areas where his legal interpretation might be incomplete or require review. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150417