In a move seen as an attempt to safeguard his own political career, former premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) yesterday apologized to his former wife as criticism of his treatment of her continued.
"I'd like to apologize to my ex-wife and my family for causing so much pain and trouble for them," Chang said.
Chang made the remarks yesterday morning after paying his respects to Yu Chi-chung (
When asked whether the controversy would affect his future political career, Chang, currently serving as an advisor to the president, said that he would leave the question to President Chen Shui-bian (
"I totally respect the president's decisions," Chang said.
In regard to the Chang divorce fracas, a group of women activists in Kaohsiung, led by City Councilwoman Yang Si-yu from the opposition PFP, yesterday condemned Chang for his behavior, which they described as "providing the worst example to society on the issue of gender equality."
Yang questioned the justness of Chang's decision to divorce just before his expected nomination by the president to serve as Examination Yuan president.
News broke on Sunday that Chang had finally married his mistress of three decades, Chu Ah-yi (
Critics said that Chang's divorce was conducted for political reasons because of his interest in becoming Examination Yuan president.
Examination Yuan members will be replaced when their six-year terms expire next month.
The president will nominate 19 members from the list and is expected to make public the nominations early next month.
According to the Constitution, Examination Yuan commissioners are nominated by the president and must then be approved by the legislature.
Chang said that he finally decided to divorce his first wife because he wanted to end his family's torment.
"I knew the decision was bound to spark public criticism, but I'd really hate to prolong the situation any longer," he said.
Chang had been openly living with his mistress for the past 30 years, but officially remained married to Hsu.
Chang dismissed criticism that he picked the wrong time to deal with his complicated marital life.
"As a public figure, it was hard to imagine a time when dealing with the problem wouldn't result in criticism," he said.
The decision to divorce, Chang said, had been approved by the entire family and was the desire of the entire family.
"They expressed their wishes that I end my broken marriage when I was appointed premier last year," Chang said.
"Although I knew I would receive criticism if I decided to divorce, I was willing to shoulder the blame, because I didn't want to see them suffer any longer."
Chang's marital status has brought him much misery during his political career, especially during election campaigns, as his rivals would take every opportunity to sarcastically refer to his sleeping on "double pillows."
Even though Chang rose to the prominent position of premier, his marital status was still a nightmare. When the President Chen presided over state banquets, Chang was the only one out of the presidents of the five branches of government who was not accompanied by a spouse.
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
The Taipei District Court sentenced babysitters Liu Tsai-hsuan (劉彩萱) and Liu Jou-lin (劉若琳) to life and 18 years in prison respectively today for causing the death of a one-year-old boy in December 2023. The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said that Liu Tsai-hsuan was entrusted with the care of a one-year-old boy, nicknamed Kai Kai (剴剴), in August 2023 by the Child Welfare League Foundation. From Sept. 1 to Dec. 23 that year, she and her sister Liu Jou-lin allegedly committed acts of abuse against the boy, who was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries on Dec. 24, 2023, but did not
LIKE-MINDED COUNTRIES: Despite the threats from outside, Taiwan and Lithuania thrived and developed their economies, former president Tsai Ing-wen said Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Saturday thanked Lithuania for its support of Taiwan, saying that both countries are united as partners in defending democracy. Speaking at a reception organized by the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group welcoming her on her first visit to the Baltic state, Tsai said that while she was president from 2016 to last year, many Lithuanian “friends” visited Taiwan. “And I told myself I have to be here. I am very happy that I am here, a wonderful country and wonderful people,” Tsai said. Taiwan and Lithuania are in similar situations as both are neighbors to authoritarian countries, she
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is to visit the UK during her ongoing European trip, which originally included only Lithuania and Denmark, her office said today. Tsai departed Taiwan for Europe on Friday night, with planned stops in Lithuania and Denmark, marking her second visit to the continent since her two-term presidency ended in May last year. Her office issued a statement today saying that Tsai would also visit the UK "for a few days," during which she is to meet with UK politicians and Taiwanese professionals, and visit academic and research institutions. Following Tsai's stop in Denmark, she is to visit the
RSS