TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) accepted National Security Council (國安會) consultant Huang Shu-kuang's (黃曙光) resignation Saturday (Sept. 28) after trying to retain him. Taiwan People's Party legislator Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊), his sister, confirmed Tuesday (Sept. 30) that family reasons prompted the departure. Huang previously left the Presidential Office's (總統府) Indigenous Submarine Project leadership in May 2024, citing similar personal considerations.
Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) praised Huang's substantial contributions to national security and defense, particularly his work advancing Taiwan's indigenous submarine program. Speculation has emerged linking his resignation to the Hai Kun submarine's (海鯤號) failure to conduct scheduled sea trials in September. Some observers suggest Huang may be accepting political responsibility for delays in the critical defense project that represents Taiwan's naval modernization efforts.
Legislator Huang Shan-shan emphasized that Taiwan's indigenous submarine program will continue unaffected by personnel changes, asserting that national defense initiatives will proceed as planned. The Taiwan People's Party member stressed that individual departures would not disrupt the continuity of the nation's critical defense strategy. Her statements aim to reassure stakeholders that Taiwan's military modernization efforts remain on track despite leadership transitions in key defense positions. ◼