A celebrity draft-dodging scandal is rattling Taiwan—and not just for the headlines. At its core, the controversy is exposing serious cracks in a military conscription system that could one day form the island’s first line of defense in a conflict with China.

On Monday, Taiwanese prosecutors indicted 28 people in a sweeping investigation. Among them: a ring of four people accused of helping 24 healthy men dodge mandatory service by faking high blood pressure diagnoses—allegedly pocketing 7.63 million Taiwanese dollars (about $255,000) in the process. At least 11 entertainers are now under investigation, including actor Darren Wang, who rose to fame in the 2015 hit Our Times. Prosecutors say Wang paid $120,000 for a falsified medical exemption. He has since begun military service, as required for men aged 19 to 36.

While the scandal has shocked the public, many in Taiwan see it as part of a broader, long-standing problem: military service that feels more like a waste of time than real preparation for war.

“It’s Not the Training That’s Exhausting—It’s the Pointlessness”

According to defense analysts, what discourages young men from serving isn’t fear of harsh training—it’s the widespread sense that it’s all for show.

“Most of the time during service is spent on non-combat-related tasks,” said Chieh Chung, a research fellow at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR). “It feels like a waste of a year.”

That sentiment is echoed in former conscripts’ stories: mowing lawns, guarding gates, sitting through endless lectures, and practicing outdated ceremonial drills. Some have trained with aging rifles shared between units. Others report going through cannon and mortar exercises with no live ammunition at all.

U.S. defense officials—speaking anonymously—warn that Taiwan’s reservist system is the “soft underbelly” of its defense strategy. While millions of names may appear on paper, the reality is that years of shortened service and minimal refresher training have left many reservists dangerously unprepared.

Mandatory But Meaningless?

Taiwan’s conscription system dates back to 1949, when the Nationalist government, fleeing Communist forces in mainland China, established it as a bulwark of national defense. Originally, it required two years of service in the army or three in the other branches. But over time, the service period shrank, reaching just four months under the previous policy—sparking concerns that conscripts were being shuffled through the system with little real training.

Adding fuel to the fire, cases of suspected obstruction of service jumped from 309 in 2021 to 553 in 2023, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

“It is imperative to reform military service as quickly as possible,” said INDSR fellow Wu Tzu-li. “Weapons are only as effective as the people trained to use them.”

Reforming a System That’s Lost Public Trust

To its credit, Taiwan’s government is trying to fix the problem. Former President Tsai Ing-wen made military reform a top priority when she took office in 2016, criticizing the system for wasting manpower and operating inefficiently.

And with China stepping up its military pressure—launching warplanes and naval vessels near the island nearly every day—Taiwan has been forced to act. In 2024, the government extended active-duty service to one full year, introduced more live-fire drills, and shifted the focus of training toward modern combat tactics.

One recent conscript, Alex Chang, told CNN the difference was obvious. “The sounds of bullets firing and grenades exploding have been going non-stop on the training ground,” he said.

Still, the jury’s out on whether the reforms are truly changing the system—or just stretching out more of the same.

“The key is what kinds of training conscripts receive,” said Chieh. “If the content doesn’t change, they’ll still feel like they’ve wasted a year.”

U.S. officials have noted some progress but say Taiwan still needs to modernize its equipment and reorganize its reserve units. A particular focus, they say, should be on asymmetric warfare—such as drone operations and anti-aircraft defenses.

In a statement, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry defended the changes, calling military service a constitutional civic duty. The new one-year program, it said, allows for “systematic and comprehensive” training that includes combat skills, joint exercises, and specialized stationing.

A Stark Cultural Comparison: South Korea

Compare that with South Korea, where mandatory military service is treated not as a burden—but as a badge of honor. Stars like BTS members RM and V recently completed their 18-month tours, saluting to fans who traveled from across the globe to welcome them home. Serving doesn’t damage a career—it often boosts it.

Even soccer star Son Heung-min, who earned an exemption by winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games, still went through four weeks of basic training—and was widely praised for doing so.

In Taiwan, by contrast, military service is more often viewed as an outdated obligation. Until the culture changes, experts say, reforms may fall flat.

“If Taiwan wants its citizens to take conscription seriously,” said one former draftee, “the government has to show that the time we give isn’t being thrown away.”

The Bigger Picture

At a time when threats from Beijing are increasingly real, Taiwan’s military can’t afford to rely on “paper” reservists or symbolic training. It needs a defense force that’s motivated, modernized, and mission-ready.

And that means more than just catching high-profile draft-dodgers. It means restoring faith in service—by making it something worth showing up for.

Source: CNN – A celebrity draft-dodging scandal lays bare problems with Taiwan’s crucial reservist force

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The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the new Secretary of Defense on Friday, following a dramatic 50-50 vote that was only decided by Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote. This unusual vote comes amid significant concerns about Hegseth’s qualifications and his past behavior, particularly allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive conduct toward women.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, has vowed to bring a “warrior culture” to the Pentagon. However, his confirmation was met with skepticism from both Democrats and some Republicans who questioned his suitability for such a high-profile role, especially given the serious allegations surrounding him.

Tensions and Dissent in the Senate

The confirmation vote was far from unanimous, with several high-ranking Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Senators Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins voted against Hegseth, citing concerns over his experience and behavior. In a rare move, Vice President JD Vance broke the tie, allowing the nomination to pass.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune defended Hegseth, emphasizing his military background and combat experience. He argued that Hegseth would bring a “warrior’s perspective” to the Pentagon, free from what he called “woke distractions” such as diversity initiatives. However, many Democrats strongly opposed the confirmation, viewing Hegseth as “dangerously unqualified” for the role.

Allegations and Controversies

Hegseth’s confirmation was clouded by serious allegations against him. He faced accusations of sexual assault at a Republican conference in California, although he denied the claims and reached a settlement, paying $50,000 to the woman involved. Additionally, a former sister-in-law accused him of abusive behavior toward his second wife, though Hegseth denied these allegations as well.

Despite these controversies, Hegseth remained steadfast during his confirmation hearings, insisting that the allegations were part of a smear campaign. He promised not to drink on the job and pledged to bring a renewed focus on military readiness.

The Role of Women in Combat

One of the most contentious issues during Hegseth’s confirmation process was his stance on women in military combat roles. His past comments suggesting that women should have no role in combat drew significant backlash, including from female lawmakers and veterans. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins both expressed concerns about his views on this matter, although Hegseth later clarified his position during discussions with senators.

However, despite this criticism, some Republicans, including Sen. Joni Ernst, a veteran and sexual assault survivor, ultimately supported Hegseth’s confirmation. Ernst’s support was particularly notable given the controversies surrounding Hegseth’s behavior.

Hegseth’s Vision for the Pentagon

As the new Secretary of Defense, Hegseth will oversee an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, 780,000 civilians, and a budget of $850 billion. His nomination is a significant moment for the Pentagon, and the controversy surrounding his confirmation highlights the ongoing divide within the Republican Party over leadership choices and the future direction of the military.

What’s Next for Trump’s Nominees?

Following Hegseth’s confirmation, the Senate will soon face votes on other controversial nominees selected by President Donald Trump, including Kash Patel for FBI Director and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. These nominations have raised further concerns among both Democrats and Republicans, adding to the tension in the Senate as Trump continues to push for his preferred picks to fill key positions in his administration.

The confirmation of Pete Hegseth marks another chapter in the ongoing debate over the qualifications and behaviors of Cabinet nominees, as well as the role of the Senate in confirming presidential appointees. With Hegseth confirmed, Trump’s influence over the GOP-led Senate remains strong, despite the challenges posed by the nomination process.

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