Taipei, Taiwan – President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, presented three directives in response to the deliberate random knife attack incident that occurred in Taipei City involving Chang Wen, urging a special task force to understand the background of the perpetrator, the motive behind the crime, whether there were accomplices, instigators, and the source of funding.
On the 19th of December, a deliberate random knife attack carried out by Chang Wen on the Taipei Metro resulted in 4 fatalities and 11 injuries. President Lai Ching-te visited the Ministry of the Interior’s Police Administration today to receive a progress report on the “1219 Taipei City Random Attack Incident” from Police Administration Director Chang Rong-hsing.
President Lai expressed his gratitude to the major hospitals for providing the best medical assistance to the injured citizens promptly. He also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased in this incident and conveyed respect and appreciation to the citizens who bravely intervened to stop the perpetrator from harming others or assisted the injured during the incident.
The President stated that this incident has shocked Taiwanese society and caused significant casualties. He thanked the briefing provided by Police Administration Director Chang Rong-hsing, indicating the prompt actions taken by the police forces of both the Police Administration and the Taipei City Police Department.
He also acknowledged Prime Minister Cho Rong-tae for immediately visiting Taipei Station on the 19th to assess the situation and directing relevant ministries to establish a special task force, while commending Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an for organizing an emergency security response team.
At this critical juncture, President Lai called for cooperation between the central and local authorities, transcending party lines to tackle this significant incident together. He emphasized the importance of minimizing the impact, reviewing and improving systems, and swiftly responding to and preventing such events to ensure public safety.
President Lai Ching-te issued three directives: first, in terms of medical care, apart from providing immediate medical services, a planned approach for prolonged health care and psychological counseling should be collaboratively promoted by the central and local governments.
Secondly, he emphasized the need to enhance the functions of establishing special task forces. Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien mentioned that the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office has directed relevant units to form special task forces to thoroughly and comprehensively investigate the case, understanding the perpetrator’s background, motive, presence of accomplices, instigators, and the source of funding.
Continued investigation is imperative, and the truth must be made public to keep the Taiwanese society informed of all details.
Thirdly, using this case as a lesson, security forces at airports, train stations, metro stations, crowded areas, and during important events should be reinforced. Continuous evaluation and enhancement of systems should be undertaken to enable rapid response teams to function effectively, alongside establishing institutionalized counter-terrorism measures.
Regardless of the eventual outcome of the investigation into this meticulously planned incident involving the online purchase of smoke bombs, personal construction of numerous petrol bombs, and ultimately suicide, a more cautious and proactive system must be in place.
President Lai Ching-te called on the Ministry of the Interior, Police Administration, and police departments in various counties and cities to strengthen the functions of rapid response teams. Once a call or message is received, these teams must swiftly arrive and possess the capabilities to prevent such attacks. Beyond mere rapid response to maintaining law and order, training and development towards counter-terrorism should be prioritized to safeguard social stability and public safety in Taiwan.
In conclusion, President Lai highlighted that in light of the unfortunate loss of precious lives, the bravery shown by individuals resisting the assailant to prevent further harm, and the care, compensation, rewards, and other post-event arrangements for injured individuals in this incident, the government has been directed to provide comprehensive support and assistance.