The Presidential Office says it will consult with the justice ministry about former President Ma Ying-jeou’s planned trip to Hong Kong.
Ma has been invited by the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) to give a speech in English during its journalism awards ceremony on June 15. Ma will speak about his perspective on cross-strait relations and the situation in East Asia. He plans to return to Taiwan on the same day.
Taiwan’s national security laws require that people who have had access to classified information apply to the Presidential Office for approval of any trips outside of Taiwan. However, there has been disagreement about how far in advance a person considered sensitive must apply to travel.
Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Wang Ting-yu has said that since Ma’s application came less than 20 days before his planned trip, he might not be allowed to go. However, the Presidential Office says that in the past, a 15 day window has been long enough.
The justice ministry has so far declined to comment on Ma’s trip. Deputy Justice Minister Hsin Tai-chao said that the ministry does not comment on individual cases.