4 security teams assigned to protect 2024 presidential candidates: NSB
ROC Central News Agency
04/26/2023 03:11 PM
Taipei, April 26 (CNA) A total of four teams are to be assembled to provide security for candidates in Taiwan's presidential election, slated for Jan. 13, 2024, the country's top intelligence chief said Wednesday.
Fielding questions during a Legislative session, National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) told lawmakers that 250 special agents would be assigned to the four teams.
The teams, one of which is a reserve unit, will officially begin providing security to presidential and vice presidential candidates in November, Tsai said.
Given the fact that incumbent Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴淸德) is the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), his existing security detail will continue their job during the presidential campaign, according to Tsai.
The 250-member security force will begin five months of training in June, and will be trained to handle attacks involving drones and explosives, he added.
Tsai appeared in front of lawmakers to report on what measures the NSB was taking in preparation for next year's presidential election, including countering Chinese attempts at electoral interference.
On the sidelines of the legislative hearing, Tsai told reporters that the NSB was closely monitoring Beijing's efforts to meddle in Taiwan's election via military and economic coercion and by spreading disinformation.
In the presidential race, Lai is expected to face Taiwan People's Party Chairman and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), and a candidate to be nominated by the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT).
New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) is reportedly the KMT's top choice, while Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) has also expressed an interest in securing the opposition party's nomination.
(By Joseph Yeh)
Enditem/ASG
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
