The Presidential Office says it will discuss setting up a system of rules on overseas travel by former officials. Under Taiwan’s security laws, former presidents and officials who once had access to classified information need permission from the current government to travel outside of Taiwan.
But the government’s decision to reject a travel application by former President Ma Ying-jeou this week has led to questions about the lack of clear rules about how this permission is granted.
The Presidential Office announced its intention to create rules Friday, after it emerged that former official Tseng Yung-chuan was able to travel by applying for permission shortly before stepping down.
Tseng served as the Presidential Office’s Secretary-General under the Ma Ying-jeou administration, which left office on May 20. But Tseng received approval for a June trip to Europe during his final weeks in his post.
The Presidential Office said Friday that it would have been more appropriate if Tseng had informed the new government of his travel plans first. But the office said that there are no rules stopping officials from getting later travel plans approved before they leave their posts.