Cabinet Reshuffle Involving 16 Officials Across 10 Agencies Unveiled

Taipei: The Executive Yuan on Wednesday unveiled a Cabinet reshuffle involving 16 officials across 10 government agencies, including changes to the ministers of economic affairs, digital affairs, and health. According to Focus Taiwan, premier Cho Jung-tai is set to lead the new Cabinet at a public appearance following Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, the Executive Yuan said in a news release Wednesday.

The shake-up comes as President Lai Ching-te's administration seeks to reverse a series of recent political setbacks, including failed recall campaigns and declining approval ratings. As part of the changes, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin will take over as the minister of Economic Affairs, replacing Kuo Jyh-huei, who stated he resigned due to a health issue.

The National Development Council Minister Liu Chin-ching also resigned for health reasons and will be replaced by Yeh Chun-hsien, a research fellow at the Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica. At the Ministry of Digital Affairs, Deputy Minister Lin Yi-jing has been appointed to succeed Yennun Huang, who resigned to return to Academia Sinica.

Meanwhile, National Health Insurance Administration Director-General Shih Chung-liang will take over as minister of health and welfare, succeeding Chiu Tai-yuan. The Executive Yuan also confirmed Olympic badminton gold medalist Lee Yang will head the Ministry of Sports when it is inaugurated on Sept. 9.

Other personnel changes in the Cabinet reshuffle, the first since Lai took office in May last year, include adjustments to deputy minister and secretary-general posts, involving a total of 16 officials.