Defense Minister Urges Law Amendment to Sanction Retired Majors Following Pro-China Comments

The controversial pro-China comments by retired Navy Major Lu Li-shih have prompted the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) to propose legal amendments for disciplinary action against such retired officers. Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated today that the current Cross-Strait Act only regulates retired generals. The proposed amendment aims to lower this threshold to retired officers of 'Major' rank and above. The draft has been sent to the Legislative Yuan for urgent approval.

Lu Li-shih recently expressed admiration for Chinese warships during a visit to China, leading to severe condemnation from the Veterans Affairs Council and the MAC. Under current regulations (Articles 9-3 and 91 of the Cross-Strait Act), sanctions for harming national dignity apply only to those at the rank of 'Major General' and above. As a retired Major, Lu currently falls outside these regulations, making it impossible to stop his pension or impose other penalties.

Koo also addressed the national defense budget, expressing hope that the Cabinet's version—NT$1.25 trillion over eight years—will be passed to meet strategic planning needs. He noted that AIT Director Raymond Greene has also voiced hope for bipartisan support for the budget. The Legislative Yuan's committee is currently reviewing how to apply emerging technologies to asymmetric warfare.