Op-Ed | Why Did the Ministry of Justice Commend Hsiao K'ai-p'ing?

Chinese media extensively reported on the 30th anniversary event of the 1992 Consensus held on November 10, frequently citing remarks by Hsiao K'ai-p'ing, president of the "Taiwan Anti-Japanese Martyrs Relatives Association," to create a false impression that Taiwanese compatriots oppose Taiwan Independence and look forward to unification, thereby launching an information and cognitive warfare campaign domestically and internationally.

This President Hsiao K'ai-p'ing is no ordinary citizen. Just the day before (the 9th), Minister of Justice Tsai Ching-hsiang personally presented him with a "Certificate of Appreciation" praising his long-term dedication to forensic work as "possessing both consummate skill and moral integrity, making an unselfish contribution, and serving as a true exemplar."

The problem is that while serving as a forensic pathologist, Hsiao K'ai-p'ing's erroneous appraisal opinions led to Chiang Kuo-ch'ing's execution, Hsieh Chih-hung's 18-year wrongful imprisonment, and years of retrial litigation for Hsu Tzu-chiang and the Su Chien-ho trio before they were finally exonerated. Because of these mistakes, the state has paid a total of NT$147,140,000 in criminal compensation for wrongful convictions. For years, civil society organizations and the Control Yuan have demanded that the Ministry of Justice discipline and hold Hsiao K'ai-p'ing accountable, but to this day he has not even received a "demerit." After retirement, he was even brought back by the Ministry of Justice to continue training young forensic pathologists and was publicly honored with an award.

President Tsai Ing-wen convened the National Conference on Judicial Reform, which resolved to amend the outdated "expert appraisal chapter" of the Code of Criminal Procedure and plan the establishment of a "Forensic Science Committee." Instead of actively promoting these reforms, the Ministry of Justice has allowed forensic pathologist Hsiao K'ai-p'ing—who is willing to become a tool for China's united front operations—to pass on his pernicious influence to young forensic pathologists. This cannot help but make people question: Why on earth did the Ministry of Justice commend Hsiao K'ai-p'ing?