Focus Taiqwan
Date: 2018/02/22
By: Lu Hsin-hui, Wen Kui-hsiang, Yeh Su-ping, Joe Yeh and Shih
Hsiu-chuan
Taipei, Feb. 23 (CNA) Taiwan’s Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) is to be
Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬)/CNA file photo
replaced by National Security Council Secretary-General Yen Teh-fa (嚴德發) in a cabinet reshuffle that is likely to be announced Friday.
Sources told CNA that the reshuffle will also see Labor Minister Lin Mei-chu (林美珠), who has tendered her resignation due to health reasons, replaced by Deputy Labor Minister Su Li-chiung (蘇麗瓊).
Feng has been serving as defense minister since President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) inauguration in May 2016. His stepping down comes amid increased military moves by China’s fighter jets and naval vessels near Taiwan, including exercises encircling the island from the air and the sea.
Shortly after Feng became defense minister, there was also an accidental firing of a missile into the Taiwan Strait, resulting in the death of a Taiwanese fisherman. Human error as well as insufficient oversight and unclear standard operating procedures were blamed for the incident. [FULL STORY]
