Actor Arrested for Draft Evasion Begins Military Service
Taiwanese Actor Darren Wang Starts Conscription After Alleged Military Evasion
Taiwanese actor Darren Wang, best known for his breakout role in the 2015 romantic comedy Our Times, has begun his mandatory military service after being accused of attempting to evade conscription using forged medical documents.
According to local media reports, Wang allegedly sought a military exemption by submitting falsified medical records. His case sparked controversy on social media, with Taiwanese netizens divided—some criticizing him for avoiding his duty, while others suggesting he should seek Chinese citizenship instead.
Conscription and Growing Tensions
Taiwan mandates all men to undergo military service, with the requirement currently set at one year. Previously, the service period had been gradually shortened to four months, but the government extended it in 2022, citing increasing military threats from mainland China.
Taiwan views itself as a sovereign entity, but China considers the self-ruled island a breakaway province destined to be under Beijing’s control. Wang, who enjoys significant popularity in China and has previously referred to it as his "motherland," found himself at the center of an intense online debate following the allegations.
Legal Troubles and Arrests
Authorities arrested Wang at his home on February 18 and took him in for questioning before releasing him on bail. He was placed under investigation for alleged document forgery, with Taiwan’s Central News Agency reporting that police had seized relevant evidence from his home.
Subsequently, while reviewing his phone, investigators reportedly discovered messages implicating him in an attempted murder case. This led to his second arrest in March. He was once again released on bail but remains under investigation for both charges.
Beginning Military Service
On Thursday, Wang reported for military service, joining over 1,000 recruits at the Chenggong Ling military camp in Taichung. The conscripts will undergo weeks of basic training before being assigned to specialized units.
While deferments can be granted in certain cases, Taiwan’s law requires all men over 18 to complete their service by the age of 36. In the past, conscription terms lasted up to three years, but successive reductions over the decades shortened it to just four months before being extended again in response to rising geopolitical tensions.
Former President Tsai Ing-wen announced the return to a year-long conscription in 2022, stating that Taiwan was on "the frontline of authoritarian expansion." She also noted that training programs would be intensified, incorporating elements from advanced military forces like the U.S.
Now, as Wang begins his military service, his legal troubles remain unresolved, leaving questions about his future beyond conscription.
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