Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Friday pledged to pay more attention to the psychological health of ministry officials, after the nation’s envoy to Osaka committed suicide amid criticism over his office’s assistance to Taiwanese tourists in need.
In an open letter to ministry officials at home and abroad sent on Friday and provided to reporters yesterday, Wu said that he was heartbroken over the passing of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Osaka branch director-general Su Chii-cherng (蘇啟誠).
“Su left behind his wife and children… I blame myself for the break-up of his family due to work, and the pressure he faced from within and from outside,” Wu wrote in the letter. “I am writing this letter to tell you that the ministry needs to make improvements and should take better care of your physical and psychological health, as well as your family life.”
Photo: Peter Lo, Taipei Times
Su, who assumed leadership of the Osaka office in July, took his own life early on Friday at his residence in Osaka, Japan, about a week after his office came under fire for a staff member’s alleged refusal last week to help a Taiwanese tourist stranded in Osaka in the wake of Typhoon Jebi find accommodation.
Japan Broadcasting Corp (NHK) on Friday reported that a note left by Su suggested that he had been in pain because of overwhelming public criticism over his office’s handling of Taiwanese tourists stranded in the area due to Jebi and the ensuing closure of Osaka’s Kansai International Airport.
Wu said that although diplomacy is Taiwan’s toughest battle, the nation’s diplomats have worked in all corners of the globe to ensure that the 23 million Taiwanese will not be left alone or forgotten by the world.
They often have to work long hours at their offices, answering telephone calls from overseas, writing diplomatic cables and arranging the itineraries of visiting foreign dignitaries, Wu said, adding that they give their best, even though their work is often overlooked, because they know that the nation’s diplomatic work rests on their shoulders.
“When we are faced with challenges from all over the world, we must not forget that the ministry is one big family, and we should show concern and support for each other,” Wu said, calling on ministry officials to stay brave and united as they work toward their common goals.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Friday wrote on Facebook and Instagram that the burden shouldered by diplomatic personnel is very heavy.
“Their contributions and efforts represent the hope of 23 million people in Taiwan to connect with the international community,” Tsai wrote, adding: “Thank you.”
Additional reporting by CNA
SPACE VETERAN: Kjell N. Lindgren, who helps lead NASA’s human spaceflight missions, has been on two expeditions on the ISS and has spent 311 days in space Taiwan-born US astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren is to visit Taiwan to promote technological partnerships through one of the programs organized by the US for its 250th national anniversary. Lindgren would be in Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday next week as part of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ US Speaker Program, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement yesterday. Lindgren plans to engage with key leaders across the nation “to advance cutting-edge technological partnerships and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,”
UNREASONABLE SURVEILLANCE: A camera targeted on an road by a neighbor captured a man’s habitual unsignaled turn into home, netting him dozens of tickets The Taichung High Administrative Court has canceled all 45 tickets given to a man for failing to use a turn signal while driving, as it considered long-term surveillance of his privacy more problematic than the traffic violations. The man, surnamed Tseng (曾), lives in Changhua County and was reported 45 times within a month for failing to signal while driving when he turned into the alley where his residence is. The reports were filed by his neighbor, who set up security cameras that constantly monitored not only the alley but also the door and yard of Tseng’s house. The surveillance occurred from July
A Japan Self-Defense Forces vessel entered the Taiwan Strait yesterday, Japanese media reported. After passing through the Taiwan Strait, the Ikazuchi was to proceed to the South China Sea to take part in a joint military exercise with the US and the Philippines, the reports said. Japan Self-Defense Force vessels were first reported to have passed through the strait in September, 2024, with two further transits taking place in February and June last year, the Asahi Shimbun reported. Yesterday’s transit also marked the first time since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office that a Japanese warship has been sent through the Taiwan
‘SAME OLD TRICK’: Even if Beijing resumes individual travel to Taiwan, it would only benefit Chinese tourism companies, the Economic Democracy Union convener said China’s 10 new “incentives” are “sugar-coated poison,” an official said yesterday, adding that Taiwanese businesses see them clearly for what they are, but that Beijing would inevitably find some local collaborators to try to drums up support. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, made the remark ahead of a news conference the General Chamber of Commerce is to hold today. The event, titled “Industry Perspectives on China’s Recent Pro-Taiwan Policies,” is expected to include representatives from industry associations — such as those in travel, hotels, food and agriculture — to request the government cooperate with China’s new measures, people familiar with
RSS