Taiwanese Celebrities Charged in Expanding Military Draft Evasion Scandal
A widening investigation into draft dodging in Taiwan has led to charges against 12 individuals, including prominent actors Chen Bo-lin and Hsiu Chieh-kai, on Nov. 14. The case highlights the ongoing challenges Taiwan faces in maintaining its military readiness amid escalating tensions with China.
Taiwan’s New Taipei District Prosecutors Office announced the charges, revealing a scheme where individuals allegedly falsified blood pressure results – by techniques such as breath-holding or utilizing stand-ins – to avoid mandatory military service. This marks the second wave of indictments in the probe, following charges against 28 people in June, including actor Wang Ta-lu.
Celebrity Involvement and Potential Penalties
Among those indicted are five well-known figures from Taiwan’s entertainment industry. In addition to Chen Bo-lin and Hsiu Chieh-kai, both 42, the charges include Hsieh Kun-da, 43, and Chang Shu-wei, 45, members of the boy band Energy, and Liao Yun-chieh, 39, of the boy band Lollipop. These individuals could face up to two years and eight months in jail if convicted of evading military service. Five other individuals involved in the scheme face potential jail terms of up to two years and two months.
According to the prosecutors, the celebrity defendants “enjoy the social benefits of high media attention and fame, and wield considerable influence and exemplary influence over the younger generation.” They added that deliberately evading military service represents a “severe deviation from societal expectations of public figures and their civic responsibilities.”
Regional Fame and Recent Projects
Chen Bo-lin gained widespread recognition for his role in the popular 2011 Taiwanese idol drama In Time With You, which resonated with audiences across China, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. Hsiu Chieh-kai is known for his appearances in Taiwanese television series such as Friends (2003), Black & White (2009), and Love and Pastry (2013). He recently appeared in Mediacorp’s Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story, scheduled for release in 2025.
Taiwan’s Military Challenges and Compulsory Service
The scandal unfolds against a backdrop of heightened security concerns for Taiwan, which operates under the constant threat of invasion from China, which views the island as a renegade province. Taipei has consistently struggled with recruitment and retention within its armed forces.
Military service has been mandatory for men aged 18 and over in Taiwan for decades, though the length of service has varied. Currently, the obligatory period is one year. Deferments are available for those pursuing higher education, but all men are required to fulfill their military obligations by age 36.
Wang Ta-lu, who was charged in June, began performing alternative military service in March after his arrest in February. This latest indictment underscores the government’s commitment to addressing draft evasion and upholding civic duty, particularly among influential public figures.
