Taiwanese celebrities caught up in military conscription evasion scandal

Authorities in Taiwan are investigating a cluster of cases involving local artists accused of evading the island’s compulsory military service, with nearly a dozen entertainers swept up in coordinated police raids on Wednesday, according to local media reports.

The interior ministry said 11 celebrities were detained in the raids early on Wednesday, which were part of an investigation into broader allegations that a criminal syndicate has been orchestrating schemes to help male residents avoid conscription.

The entertainers included the singers Nine Chen and Daniel Chen, as well as Jushe Lee, drummer with local band Choc7, William Liao from the boy band Lollipop, and comedian Daikon Huang Liang Jun.

Liao, the former Lollipop member, posted a photograph on social media of himself reporting to a police station, saying that he was “cooperating voluntarily”.

The investigation into conscription evasion has intensified as Taipei has stepped up efforts to bolster the island’s defence amid Beijing’s increased its military pressure in the Taiwan Strait.

Responding to questions from Taiwan’s legislators on Wednesday, the director general of the Department of Conscription Administration, Shen Che-fang, said investigations last year identified 11 entertainers among 120 people accused of evading conscription.

South China Morning Post