The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said that both of President William Lai’s (賴清德) sons have served in the military, after retired major general Li Cheng-chieh (栗正傑) accused them of “hiding” in the US to avoid service.
Li on Sunday apologized for saying during an appearance on a China Television Co political talk show on Feb. 20 that Lai’s sons were hiding and “did not return to Taiwan to complete military service.”
Under the instruction of Lai’s lawyer via a formal notice, Li said that his previous accusations were untrue and offered his sincere apologies.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
Li said he had been swayed by media reports and had not first verified the information before stating it on the program.
The president’s two sons completed military service in accordance with the law, and if Li were to make any further untrue and defamatory comments, the DPP would take legal action, party spokeswoman Han Ying (韓瑩) said yesterday.
Li’s comments were “blatantly false,” and people should not make baseless accusations on TV that mislead the public without first checking facts, she said.
Furthermore, members of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and their family members who went to the US to study or work have not faced such accusations, arousing suspicion that the KMT employs double standards and launches unfounded political attacks, she added.
Additional reporting by CNA
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