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.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
UNILATERAL MOVES: Officials have raised concerns that Beijing could try to exert economic control over Kinmen in a key development plan next year The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) yesterday said that China has so far failed to provide any information about a new airport expected to open next year that is less than 10km from a Taiwanese airport, raising flight safety concerns. Xiamen Xiangan International Airport is only about 3km at its closest point from the islands in Kinmen County — the scene of on-off fighting during the Cold War — and construction work can be seen and heard clearly from the Taiwan side. In a written statement sent to Reuters, the CAA said that airports close to each other need detailed advanced
UNKNOWN TRAJECTORY: The storm could move in four possible directions, with the fourth option considered the most threatening to Taiwan, meteorologist Lin De-en said A soon-to-be-formed tropical storm east of the Philippines could begin affecting Taiwan on Wednesday next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The storm, to be named Fung-wong (鳳凰), is forecast to approach Taiwan on Tuesday next week and could begin affecting the weather in Taiwan on Wednesday, CWA forecaster Huang En-hung (黃恩鴻) said, adding that its impact might be amplified by the combined effect with the northeast monsoon. As of 2pm yesterday, the system’s center was 2,800km southeast of Oluanbi (鵝鑾鼻). It was moving northwest at 18kph. Meteorologist Lin De-en (林得恩) on Facebook yesterday wrote that the would-be storm is surrounded by
RSS