The Executive Yuan announced today that the resignation of Yang Nien-dzu as Minister of National Defense has been approved, and Yang will be succeeded by Yen Ming, who has been serving as the ministry's Chief of the General Staff.
Yen graduated from the ROC Air Force Academy (ROCAFA) in 1971 and from two institutions of the National Defense University (NDU) thereafter—the Air Command and Staff College in 1981 and the War College in 1988—as well as an NDU military research program in 1991.
His military credentials are comprehensive. He has previously served as superintendent of the ROCAFA; Chief of Staff of the Combined Logistics Command; Commander of the ROC Air Force (ROCAF) Logistics Command; and Deputy Commander, Commander, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff of the ROCAF Command Headquarters.
At each post, Yen has executed his duties with dedication and scrupulousness, winning high commendations from his superiors, officials said. Projects he has overseen include a Ten-Year Force Buildup Concept, Five-Year Force Construction Plan, radar reconnaissance project, sky security project, tactical intelligence warning system and missions to safeguard Taiwanese fishermen at sea. He has also supervised numerous disaster prevention and rescue missions and exercises. Yen was the first general promoted by President Ma Ying-jeou when the latter took office in 2008.
The Legislative Yuan yesterday passed revisions to the Code of Court Martial Procedure which would transfer jurisdiction of certain military criminal cases to the civil justice system during peacetime. This decisive reform will be a major undertaking for the military, but the administration expects it to proceed seamlessly under Minister Yen and anticipates that he will seize the responsibility of spearheading reform and restoring public confidence in the armed forces.