Military maintains election neutrality: Defense minister

ملخص مفصل

Taiwan's armed forces do not interfere in elections, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Wednesday, responding to an allegation that the military showed service personnel an educational video featuring Puma Shen (沈伯洋), the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate.

Taipei, Nov. 11 (CNA) Taiwan's armed forces do not interfere in elections, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Wednesday, responding to an allegation that the military showed service personnel an educational video featuring Puma Shen (沈伯洋), the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate.

Chen Shih-hsuan (陳世軒), a New Taipei City councilor from the opposition Taiwan People's Party, made the allegation Monday during a political talk show, citing an aide who had "recently completed military service."

In the video, Shen, an expert on China's cognitive warfare and disinformation campaigns, discussed "how Douyin and TikTok affect national security," Koo told reporters at the Legislative Yuan.

The video was released in April 2024, well before the current Taipei mayoral election campaign, and should therefore have no impact on the election, Koo said, adding that he had not heard of any plans to rebroadcast it.

Koo said the armed forces adhere to a requirement that the armed forces remain politically neutral and would never interfere in elections.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, the Ministry of National Defense said it was its "unwavering stance" not to become involved in politics or election campaign activities.

Other lawmakers and government officials have also appeared in the ministry's educational videos to share their expertise, the statement said.

The ministry urged the public not to spread unsubstantiated information that could tarnish the military's image.

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