HUALIEN (TVBS News) — An upside-down national flag was spotted at the command building on Monday (Nov 4), an international sign for distress or occupation. The incident was immediately reported by a passerby who noticed the flag while on a morning jog at Hualien Beibin Park. The sight sparked widespread social concern upon gaining publicity.
The command officials responded quickly to the incident and stated that the mishap was due to a rookie soldier's mistake during a dawn flag-raising task in low light conditions. Hualien County Reserve Command Political Warfare Director Hsieh Yung-wei emphasized the importance of training education and the need to review the incident to prevent a similar occurrence.
It's worth noting that misusing the national flag is illegal and may lead to legal implications. According to Article 160 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of China, a person who openly damages, removes or dishonors the emblem of the Republic of China or the flag of the Republic of China to insult the Republic of China shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year, short-term imprisonment, or a fine of not more than NT＄9,000.
This incident has sparked a discussion about the fortification of command education and standardized practices to prevent any repeat of this kind.