Progress on NCC Commissioner Nominations; Chen Chung-shu: I Believe the Executive Yuan Will Handle It With Consideration
With the terms of three NCC commissioners expiring on July 31, legislators questioned the slow nomination process. Acting Chairman Chen Chung-shu claimed no knowledge, leaving the matter to the Executive Yuan's discretion amid risks of agency paralysis.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 14:23
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 14:31 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 22:06 (7h 34m after Collected)
(CNA reporter Lin Ching-yin, Taipei, 22nd) The terms of the three current commissioners of the National Communications Commission (NCC) will expire on July 31. According to the law, the Executive Yuan must nominate new commissioners three months before their terms end. Several legislators interpellated NCC Acting Chairman Chen Chung-shu today regarding the nomination progress and whether he had been consulted to take over as chairman. Chen Chung-shu stated that he had absolutely no knowledge of it and believes that Executive Yuan Premier Cho Jung-tai will have his own considerations in handling the matter.
The Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan reviewed the draft amendment to Article 36 of the Telecommunications Management Act today, and several opposition legislators focused on the progress of the NCC commissioner nominations.
Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Wan Mei-ling asked during her interpellation about the current progress of the nomination process. Chen Chung-shu said he was completely unaware.
Wan Mei-ling pressed further, stating that with only 8 days left until the end of April, even though the nomination power lies with the Executive Yuan, the NCC should not stay out of it. Once the end of July arrives, the NCC will be like an empty fortress, and its operations will stall. She asked if he had actively discussed this with the Executive Yuan.
Chen Chung-shu indicated that he had reflected this to the Premier's Office and ministers without portfolio, saying, 'I believe the Premier will have his considerations in handling this.'
Wan Mei-ling demanded that Chen Chung-shu strengthen communication and recommend candidates, and asked if he had been consulted about serving another term, and if so, whether he would be willing.
Chen said Taiwan is full of talent, 'leave the hiring space to the Premier, and respect the Premier's choice.'
KMT legislator Hung Meng-kai also asked Chen Chung-shu, noting that once the NCC lacks sufficient members, its operations cannot be promoted. 'Has the Executive Yuan asked for your opinion?' Chen said, 'Not currently.'
Hung Meng-kai said he didn't understand Premier Cho Jung-tai's mindset. What needs to be done must be done. As long as they are good candidates, the Legislative Yuan will not deliberately obstruct them. It can't always be blamed on Chinese suppression. Chen Chung-shu said there is still some time, and the Executive Yuan should be handling it.
The NCC Organization Act stipulates that the NCC shall have 7 commissioners. In July 2025, the Executive Yuan proposed a nomination list of 4 NCC commissioners, including the chairman and vice chairman, but the Legislative Yuan completely blocked it on November 7 of the same year. Because the Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to the NCC Organization Act in mid-July 2024, deleting the extension provision, the 4 commissioners left office after their terms expired on July 31 of that year, leaving the NCC with only 3 commissioners. If the nominations are not completed by the end of July, or if nominations are made but not passed by the Legislative Yuan, all NCC commissioner positions will become vacant. (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150422
The Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan reviewed the draft amendment to Article 36 of the Telecommunications Management Act today, and several opposition legislators focused on the progress of the NCC commissioner nominations.
Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Wan Mei-ling asked during her interpellation about the current progress of the nomination process. Chen Chung-shu said he was completely unaware.
Wan Mei-ling pressed further, stating that with only 8 days left until the end of April, even though the nomination power lies with the Executive Yuan, the NCC should not stay out of it. Once the end of July arrives, the NCC will be like an empty fortress, and its operations will stall. She asked if he had actively discussed this with the Executive Yuan.
Chen Chung-shu indicated that he had reflected this to the Premier's Office and ministers without portfolio, saying, 'I believe the Premier will have his considerations in handling this.'
Wan Mei-ling demanded that Chen Chung-shu strengthen communication and recommend candidates, and asked if he had been consulted about serving another term, and if so, whether he would be willing.
Chen said Taiwan is full of talent, 'leave the hiring space to the Premier, and respect the Premier's choice.'
KMT legislator Hung Meng-kai also asked Chen Chung-shu, noting that once the NCC lacks sufficient members, its operations cannot be promoted. 'Has the Executive Yuan asked for your opinion?' Chen said, 'Not currently.'
Hung Meng-kai said he didn't understand Premier Cho Jung-tai's mindset. What needs to be done must be done. As long as they are good candidates, the Legislative Yuan will not deliberately obstruct them. It can't always be blamed on Chinese suppression. Chen Chung-shu said there is still some time, and the Executive Yuan should be handling it.
The NCC Organization Act stipulates that the NCC shall have 7 commissioners. In July 2025, the Executive Yuan proposed a nomination list of 4 NCC commissioners, including the chairman and vice chairman, but the Legislative Yuan completely blocked it on November 7 of the same year. Because the Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to the NCC Organization Act in mid-July 2024, deleting the extension provision, the 4 commissioners left office after their terms expired on July 31 of that year, leaving the NCC with only 3 commissioners. If the nominations are not completed by the end of July, or if nominations are made but not passed by the Legislative Yuan, all NCC commissioner positions will become vacant. (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150422