Taiwan names civilian to head defense ministry
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan has named a civilian to head up its defense ministry, an apparent bid to end weeks of protests over the death of a soldier held in a military brig.
Fifty-eight-year-old Andrew Yang became the first civilian to head up the ministry under President Ma Ying-jeou when he was named to the post Monday. His appointment follows weeks of controversy over the death of a 24-year-old recruit on July 3.
Hung Chung-chiu died after being forced to perform a rigorous regime of calisthenics in sweltering heat. Four officers are currently under detention in connection with the incident.
Yang previously served as deputy defense minister. Prior to his appointment in 2009 he was secretary-general of the China Council of Advanced Policy Studies, a Taipei think-tank concentrating on military affairs.
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