Former aide to Taiwan’s security chief expelled from DPP over spying allegations

Ho Jen-chieh, who worked for the island’s former foreign minister Joseph Wu, is suspected of leaking classified information to Beijing

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Joseph Wu has been a central figure in shaping Taiwan’s foreign and security policy. Photo: Kamaryt Michal/CTK/dpa

Published: 8:26pm, 14 Apr 2025Updated: 8:41pm, 14 Apr 2025

Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has expelled a former aide to Joseph Wu – now the island’s security chief – for allegedly spying for Beijing, adding to a series of espionage cases implicating key figures within the DPP government.

The decision came on Sunday after Ho Jen-chieh – a long-time DPP member and former assistant to Wu during his tenure as the island’s foreign minister from 2018 to 2024 – was detained and held incommunicado over the weekend.

According to prosecutors, Ho is suspected of providing classified information to mainland Chinese intelligence agents while serving in the island’s foreign ministry.

Ho was taken into custody following a search of his home on Thursday, according to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office on Saturday. Ho is suspected of violating Taiwan’s National Security Act, and prosecutors expressed concern that he might collude with others or destroy evidence if released.

“To prevent collusion or tampering with evidence, the district court has ruled that the suspect be detained and held incommunicado,” the office said.

In response to the unfolding scandal, the DPP swiftly moved to sever ties with Ho.