TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced on Thursday (March) that Taiwan will reinstate its military trial system as part of heightened measures to counter infiltration and espionage threats from China. Speaking at a press conference held at the Presidential Office (總統府) following a high-level national security meeting, Lai outlined plans to revise the "Military Trial Act" (軍事審判法). The revisions would specifically target military crimes such as treason and espionage involving active-duty personnel amid growing security concerns.
In his announcement, President Lai explicitly categorized China as a "foreign hostile force" (境外敵對勢力) under Taiwan's "Anti-Infiltration Act" (反滲透法). He emphasized that the government must implement more assertive measures to strengthen democratic resilience and safeguard national security in the face of persistent threats. The reformed system will direct military crime cases involving active-duty personnel, as defined by the "Criminal Code of the Armed Forces" (陸海空軍刑法), to be tried in military courts rather than civilian judicial institutions. Lai indicated that these military tribunals would operate with cooperation from Taiwan's existing judicial authorities.
The president detailed plans for comprehensive reforms to support the reinstated military justice system. These include drafting new personnel regulations for military judges and establishing organizational frameworks for military courts and prosecutors. The Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) has been tasked with communicating these significant changes to the public. Beyond the court system itself, Lai called for the MND to propose amendments to the "Criminal Code of the Armed Forces" that would introduce penalties for "expressions of loyalty to the enemy." Additional revisions would address regulations governing retired military personnel, with the stated aim of maintaining discipline within Taiwan's armed forces.