Explained: The big Taiwan scandal involving celebrities who evaded mandatory military draft

Taiwan is witnessing a big scandal involving its celebrities. Authorities in the self-ruled island have questioned nearly a dozen artists who evaded the mandatory military service.

The names of celebrities, such as Nine Chen and William Liao, have come to light. This comes as military conscription remains a divisive subject in Taiwan, which is facing growing threats from China.

Let’s take a closer look.

Celebrities under scanner for dodging military service

At least 11 celebrities were detained in Taiwan after police raids last week, as part of a wider investigation into an alleged criminal syndicate helping men to avoid the compulsory military draft, as per a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report.

Singers Nine Chen and Daniel Chen, Choc7 band drummer Jushe Lee, William Liao from the former boy band Lollipop, and comedian Daikon Huang Liang Jun were among those detained by the police.

Li Chuan, Ah Hu, Chen Xinwei, and Xiao Xiong were also among the celebrities reported to have paid to get fake medical certificates to skip military duties.

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The Taiwan police launched the probe after 33-year-old actor Darren Wang was arrested in February for evading mandatory military duties.

Wang, who rose to fame with the 2015 teen rom-com Our Times, was found to have used a false medical certificate to try to get a military service exemption. He was later ordered to complete a year’s military service and sent to an army camp on March 13.

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Liao from Lollipop shared an image of himself at a police station, saying that he was “cooperating voluntarily”.

Shen Che-fang, the director general of the Department of Conscription Administration, said on May 15 that the probe revealed that 11 entertainers were among the 120 people accused of dodging conscription.

He warned of court action against those who break the law, but added that any suspects aged over 36 would not be called back for service.

Thirty-six is the age limit for conscription in Taiwan .

Shen said he advised the island’s national defence ministry to strengthen the standards for physical classification and make regulations stricter.

How much did celebrities spend?

Taiwanese artists are reported to have spent thousands of dollars on forged medical documents to dodge mandatory military duties.

As per local media reports, Jushe Lee likely paid a syndicate NT$250,000 (Rs 7.12 lakh) to evade military service by showing a cardiovascular disease medical record with abnormal blood pressure (BP). He was released on bail for NT$150,000 (Rs 4.27 lakh).

Comedian Daikon Huang Liang Jun is suspected of having shelled out over NT$300,000 (Rs 8.54 lakh) to show a fake high BP. The syndicate allegedly used someone with high blood pressure to produce the fake results, reported SCMP.

Singer Nine Chen is believed to have paid about NT$300,000 for fake medical documents to get an exemption from military service.

Taiwan’s mandatory military service

Taiwan makes it mandatory for all willing and able-bodied men to undergo compulsory military service for one year. They can serve in the military between the ages of 18 and 36. However, some deferments can be granted in certain cases.

Initially, the period for compulsory military service was two to three years. This was reduced to just four months in 2017.

In December 2022, the government of the then Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen raised it back to one year. This came amid increased military, diplomatic and trade pressure from China.

China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a part of its territory that is to be reunified. However, the island does not agree. Taiwan is separated from China by the Taiwan Strait.

Taipei has ramped up efforts to boost the island’s defence since Beijing raised military pressure in the strait.

Despite the fears of a Chinese invasion, compulsory conscription is highly unpopular among the youth in Taiwan. Its armed forces have historically struggled to get sufficient volunteer recruits.

With inputs from agencies