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Military catches up with deserter after 36 years

A deserter who spent nearly four decades on the run from military police was finally caught over the weekend.

After joining the military at the age of 20, Chang Ying-hsing (張應興) deserted five times to support his aging parents, who had no other children to look after them. After divorcing his wife, he also had to care for his three-year-old son.

Chang, now 56 years old and past the age of military service, was wanted by military police on charges of desertion, and on Saturday was apprehended by police in Puli Township (埔里) in Nantou County.

Chang was visited by his son, 24, who has long completed his military service and hasn't forgotten the sacrifices his father has made for his family over the past 36 years.

Chang Yu-ming (張育銘) says that his father has had almost no peace over the past decades spent fleeing military service.

Chang Yu-ming remembers moving from place to place as a child, and said life on the run was the worst punishment his father faced. He now hopes the issue can be resolved quickly so that his father can live out the rest of his life in peace.

The military said that Chang Ying-hsing won't be required to serve because of his age, but he must pay a fine of more than NT$50,000 (US$1,520) before he can return home.

His son said he was willing to pay any amount to secure his father's release.

Chang Ying-hsing, originally from Keelung, said that after receiving his military summons, he applied to postpone his service but was denied.

He said that he had been tormented by being unable to fulfill his duty to both his family and country.
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