A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been embroiled in a sex scandal, after several women contacted local media accusing him of trying to entice his colleagues and of having affairs with four women.
Local media reported this week that Department of Treaty and Legal Affairs Senior Executive Officer Chen Shou-han (陳首翰) allegedly used his position of influence to pressure three married female colleagues or subordinates in other sections of the ministry into having a sexual relationship with him.
The case was revealed by media outlets this week when a fourth woman, the wife of a judge, came forward with photographic evidence of the unmarried 51-year-old Chen sending photographs of his bare upper torso to her late at night, as well as text messages in an apparent attempt to seduce her.
With the allegations and speculation about Chen circulating on social media, ministry officials said yesterday that an investigation would be conducted into the allegations and action would be taken where necessary.
Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin (林永樂) was asked about the scandal at a question-and-answer session at the legislature in Taipei yesterday after the Chinese-language Next Magazine and other local media on Wednesday published reports accompanied by the photograph of Chen’s bare torso, which he had allegedly sent to the judge’s wife.
“The ministry will investigate the matter fully and in earnest. There will not be a cover-up,” Lin said in reply to a question by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯), adding that Chen’s alleged misconduct was “an isolated case” .
Tsai criticized the ministry for allowing such a sordid affair to happen.
“This scandal is a big embarrassment for the ministry. Chen has carried on affairs with many women and he obviously has no morals,” Tsai said.
Tsai also requested that Lin treat the matter seriously and not sweep it under the carpet.
Chen had been due to take up a new diplomatic posting to the Philippines, but this was canceled while an investigation is concluded, ministry officials said yesterday.
According to reports, Chen has attempted to entice and seduce at least five women and he also has a steady girlfriend.
Despite numerous complaints about his sexual advances from Chen’s female colleagues, the ministry had not reprimanded Chen because of his international legal expertise and because he is perceived as a “rising star” at the ministry, the reports said.
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