Members of the public and lawmakers were outraged upon learning that retired vice admiral Ko Cheng-sheng (柯政盛), convicted of spying for China, can continue to collect his pension, estimated to be at least NT$80,000 (US$2,526) a month.
In the ruling by the Supreme Court on Monday, Ko was found guilty and handed a 14-month jail term for violating the National Security Act (國家安全法), attempting to set up a spy ring in Taiwan and passing on classified military information to China.
After the court’s decision, it was revealed that Ko is still eligible to collect a generous monthly “lifetime pension,” which is given to retired military commissioned officers based on their period of service. The former vice admiral is also eligible for the special 18 percent bank deposit interest rate which is reserved for civil servants, military personnel and public school teachers.
Photo: Taipei Times
According to government sources, based on his rank of vice admiral and factoring in the 18 percent preferential interest rate, Ko stands to collect a pension of between NT$80,000 and NT$90,000 a month from the government.
In an interview with a military official, who declined to be named, the officer expressed his outrage at the situation.
“He was a senior officer and deputy commander of the nation’s fleet. However, China bought him off with money, so he sold our military secrets to them and tried to form a spy ring to conduct espionage and gather classified information for China,” the official said.
“He is a traitor, yet he can still collect his fat monthly pension. This is just too much. How can people in our society accept this?” the official said.
Critics said that Ko received a relatively light sentence for being convicted of espionage, especially since he jeopardized national security. Some called for a judicial amendment to hand out heavier punishments, including life imprisonment.
A legal expert said that Ko was charged with contravention of the National Security Act, which carries a lesser punishment, and that a conviction does not preclude those found guilty from collecting their lifetime pension.
The expert said that Ko could only be ruled ineligible for his pension if he had been charged with “offenses against the internal and external security of the state” (內亂外患罪), found guilty of corruption, or convicted and given a life sentence or the death penalty.
In response, Ministry of National Defense spokesman Major General David Lo (羅紹和) yesterday said that in cases of individuals convicted of serious crimes, “the military supports the government in considering to amend the law and to deliberate on making changes to the lifetime pension program in order to uphold social justice.”
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