Prosecutors have indicted two military personnel in an espionage case involving Chinese intelligence. Former army sergeant Chen Tai-yin and active lieutenant Lee Chun-ta face charges under the National Security Act. The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office announced the indictment today. Consequently, this espionage case alleges that Chen recruited Lee to photograph classified military training materials. Both men served together in the same unit from 2011 to 2013. Chen retired in 2013 and later faced financial difficulties.
The espionage case began when Chen met a Chinese operative surnamed Wang through a friend in November 2023. Wang allegedly offered Chen payment in exchange for sensitive military information. On March 16, 2024, Chen arranged a meeting with Lee and suggested earning money by photographing materials. Chen then introduced Lee to Wang through a WeChat call. Wang offered Lee a sign-on bonus equal to twice his monthly salary. Additional bonuses would come for each delivery of classified documents. However, Lee did not immediately agree to the proposal.
Nevertheless, Lee began professional officer training in January 2024. This training gave him access to military manuals classified as confidential. Therefore, the espionage case progressed when Chen arranged another meeting on April 7, 2024. He used the pretext of repaying money he owed Lee. During that meeting, Chen photographed the training materials with his mobile phone. He contacted Wang through WeChat to confirm transmission methods and payment details. The two then sent the photographed files to their Chinese handler. This involved illegal probing, collection, and delivery of classified military documents.
Investigators later discovered that Chen received 2,500 tether, a cryptocurrency, from Wang on April 13, 2024. Chen used a cryptocurrency wallet provided by an acquaintance. He then converted the funds into New Taiwan dollars. The money arrived in two installments on April 17 and 18, 2024. The total amount reached NT$79,440. Chen voluntarily surrendered all illicit gains during the investigation. Consequently, prosecutors have petitioned the court to confiscate those funds. This espionage case highlights ongoing concerns about Chinese intelligence operations targeting Taiwanese military personnel.
Looking ahead, the court will schedule a trial date for both defendants. Chen faces charges under the National Security Act and the Anti-Corruption Act. Lee faces similar charges for his role in the document leaks. The military has since reviewed its security protocols for classified materials. Officials urge service members to report any suspicious contact from foreign operatives. This espionage case serves as a warning about financial vulnerabilities leading to security breaches. For now, both men remain in custody pending trial.
