Tsai was referring to the KMT legislative caucus’ continuous complaints about and criticism of Koh during the past few days.
Deputy caucus whip Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) said that Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Ou (歐鴻鍊) should be responsible for briefing the legislature, not Koh.
“If the KMT wanted to condemn Koh, they should have condemned Ou first,” Chiu said.
Another deputy whip, Pan Meng-an (潘孟安), said that KMT lawmakers had good reason for trying to force Koh from his post.
“KMT Legislator Lee Chia-chin [李嘉進] has been vying for Koh’s position. I am afraid that is why Lee has continued his criticism of Koh,” Pan said.
Japan played down the row yesterday.
“We have already agreed [with Taiwan] to handle the issue calmly, without getting excited,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told a news conference.
Tokyo called for calm and said it was “very regrettable” that a protest boat along with nine patrol ships from Taiwan had entered Japanese territorial waters on Monday to protest last week’s sinking of the vessel.
The US State Department on Monday called on Japan and Taiwan to exercise restraint in the dispute.
Additional reporting by Jimmy Chuang and AFP
Also see: Diaoyutai islets are not part of Taiwan
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