At the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received the Ministry of the Interior's report on its plan for preventing child and juvenile crime. The premier said that in the past decade, the juvenile offender rate has been rising, notably among those aged 15 to 18, with school dropouts in this age group at high risk of being lured into criminal activities by delinquent gangs and groups. To address this issue, the premier directed the ministries and agencies involved to formulate follow-up counseling and assistance programs, particularly to help disadvantaged juveniles overcome unfavorable conditions.
Premier Cho said the government will allocate NT$7.6 billion (US$232.1 million) to the child and juvenile delinquency prevention plan from 2025 to 2028. He instructed relevant ministries and agencies to develop suitable strategies and approaches and strengthen horizontal coordination, with the aim of collaboratively establishing a robust guidance network and enhancing services such as career counseling, health care and other forms of support, ultimately improving the situation of children and adolescents at their roots.