Mining Development Dispute: Yilan Datong Township Lunpi Village Chief Wu Bing-zong's Recall Passes

### Central Message

(Central News Agency reporter Shen Ju-feng, Yilan County, April 25) A mining development project in Lunpi Village, Datong Township, Yilan County, has sparked controversy, leading a recall group to initiate a recall against Lunpi Village Chief Wu Bing-zong due to dissatisfaction with his attitude. The recall vote was held today, and the number of 'yes' votes exceeded the 'no' votes, and also reached more than one-quarter of the total eligible voters in the original electoral district, so the recall motion passed.

This recall case stemmed from a mining development project in the traditional territory of the Lunpi tribe. Opponents of the mining development believed that operators wanted to extract minerals in the traditional territory, and Wu Bing-zong turned a blind eye to the opposition, using the pretext of administrative neutrality to shield the developers. To protect future generations from environmental catastrophe, they launched a petition for his recall.

Wu Bing-zong had stated on his personal Facebook in early March that the mining development project must comply with the Indigenous Peoples Basic Act, and that whether the tribe agreed to the development, after the operators held consultation meetings in various villages, would be decided by public opinion. He denied protecting anyone, believing that voters were clear-eyed and would make the correct choice.

The statement also noted that he had always served the villagers with an attitude of non-confrontation and non-hatred. If the recall motion passed due to inappropriate links to this incident, he would respect the system and accept it gracefully.

The Yilan County Election Commission stated tonight that the total number of voters for this recall election was 606, with 338 people voting. The ballot counting results showed 214 votes in favor of the recall, 120 votes against, and 4 invalid votes. The County Election Commission will hold a committee meeting on April 28 to review and confirm the recall vote results.

Regarding the recall results, as of 6 PM tonight, Wu Bing-zong did not answer reporters' calls, and no latest response could be obtained. (Edited by Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150425