Keelung Official Resigns Amid Recall Scandal: Allegations of Data Misuse Rock Taiwan

The Keelung Department of Civil Affairs Director Steps Down Following Release on Bail in Connection with Recall Petition Investigation.

In a developing story that has sent ripples through the Taiwanese political landscape, Keelung Department of Civil Affairs Director Chang Yuan-hsiang (張淵翔) has resigned from his position. The resignation comes after Chang was released on bail late on Tuesday, amidst allegations of using public household registration rolls to support a recall effort against Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) city councilors.

Keelung City Government spokesman Lu Ching-wei (呂謦煒) confirmed Chang's resignation, stating that it was approved by Keelung Mayor George Hsieh (謝國樑). Chao Ming-hua (趙明華), the department’s deputy director, will take over as acting director.

The Keelung District Court released Chang on NT$400,000 bail. The court suspects that Chang accessed the household registration system to verify or obtain personal data, potentially aiding the recall petitions targeting DPP city councilors Cheng Wen-ting (鄭文婷) and Jiho Chang (張之豪).

According to the court, Chang "admitted" to offenses related to personal data protection and document forgery. Despite prosecutors’ request for detention, it was denied, taking into consideration his confession, although concerns of collusion and witness tampering were noted. Chang is now restricted to his residence and barred from contacting other suspects or witnesses.

Two other individuals are also implicated in this ongoing investigation. Recall campaign leader Chi Wen-chuan (紀文荃) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Renai District (仁愛) committee director Chang Chin-fa (張金發) are being detained incommunicado. The court has charged Chi and Chang Chin-fa with the “serious crimes” of illegally using personal data in contravention of the Personal Data Protection Act (個人資料保護法) and forging private documents.

Prosecutors have also found chat group messages in which Chi removed original members and advised people to leave the group after a member shared a news article about a related investigation, suggesting attempts to conceal information.

These legal proceedings follow a raid on six locations in Keelung on Monday. This action mirrors a series of raids conducted by prosecutors throughout Taiwan in recent weeks, mostly targeting KMT offices, as authorities investigate alleged signature fraud in recall campaigns targeting DPP officials. This case highlights growing tensions within the political environment of Taiwan.