National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo (顧立雄) will be the next defense minister, announced President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday. Koo will be the 7th civilian defense minister in Taiwan’s history.
During a press conference on Thursday morning, President-elect Lai said that the defense minister's role includes national security, international cooperation, and promoting national defense awareness among the public. Lai says due to Koo’s diverse skill set, he is the best choice.
Koo says that civilian-led defense ministries are not uncommon in democratic nations. He adds that he plans to collaborate closely with military departments to enhance the combat readiness of both conscripted and volunteer forces, with a particular focus on reforming the reserve system.
Koo also stressed the importance of cooperative deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. He believes that Taiwan plays a crucial role in deterring China's potential advances. Koo adds that it is the responsibility of the defense minister to prevent China from taking rash actions, to ensure regional peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.