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Defense Ministry: Soldier's death will impact recruitment

ROC Central News Agency

2013/07/23 21:55:49

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Military officials said Tuesday that the recent suspicious death of an Army corporal will affect Ministry of National Defense efforts to recruit more servicemen and servicewomen, as Taiwan plans to have an all-volunteer force by 2015.

'There will certainly be an impact,' said Col. Hu Zhong-shi, director of the ministry's Recruitment Center of National Armed Forces, at a news conference. 'We are continuing to observe the extent of what the impact might be,' he added.

The news conference was held to brief the media on the latest developments in the military investigation into the July 4 death of 24-year-old Corporal Hung Chung-chiu.

Hung is believed to have died as a result of punishment drills he was forced to do while in the brig after he was found to have brought a camera cellphone onto the base -- normally a minor infraction.

Citing opposition Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsueh Ling, the Chinese-language United Evening News reported Sunday that Hung's death has sparked concerns over the safety of those in the military and might prompt those who have recently joined the military to quit.

Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Luo Shou-he said the military is conducting a thorough review of its management system in the wake of Hung's death.

The ministry is working on what should be corrected and 'hopes the public will give it the opportunity to do so,' Luo said at the news conference.

A total of 1,847 men and women have reported to their military units so far this year, the ministry said, adding that it has a whole-year recruitment target of 17,447 for 2013 and will continue its recruitment campaign.

Also present at the news conference was Maj. Gen. Tsao Chin-sheng, chief military prosecutor-general, who vowed that military prosecutors will get to the bottom of the case.

Hung's death has sparked a public outcry because of the blatant administrative flaws in the military's handling of the serviceman from the time he was charged with misconduct to when he died.

Most notably, he should not have been put in disciplinary confinement for his offense -- carrying a camera-equipped phone onto his military base, the 542 Armor Brigade.

A military investigation into criminal liability is still underway. Four officers, including Col. Ho Chiang-chung, deputy commander of the 542 Armor Brigade, have so far been taken into military custody.

(By Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/J