National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Shi Hwei-yow (許惠祐) yesterday confirmed a report in the latest edition of Next Magazine that NSB officials had solicited the services of prostitutes.
Shi also tendered his resignation yesterday, but said the move was not related to the case.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方) told reporters that Shi had confirmed the report and explained the matter before the magazine hit the shelves yesterday. He said Shi had promised to punish those involved.
“Shi stressed that the NSB’s internal affairs department had discovered and investigated the case before the magazine approached them,” Lin said.
Lin said that Shi had done the right thing by keeping lawmakers apprised of the situation.
“His actions helped to avoid potential misunderstandings and unnecessary bickering that could have occurred at subsequent legislative meetings,” Lin said.
The magazine said eight NSB officials visited a karaoke bar in February and called for escort services. Four of the officials slept with prostitutes afterwards. A major surnamed Lee who was the superior of the others was relieved of his position.
Shi said yesterday he offered his resignation because it was time.
“It is like running a relay race. I have been helping the new president get everything settled and now it’s time for me to pass the baton,” he said in a statement.
KMT caucus deputy secretary-general Chang Hsien-yao (張顯耀) called the scandal “unforgivable.”
“NSB chief Shi had promised before this incident that the bureau would not be involved in any more wrongdoing. This [scandal] is particularly unforgivable given Shi’s promise,” Chang said.
Additional reporting by Flora Wang
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