Taiwan Presidential Security Unit Member Dies on Duty "Psychological Pressure Was High"

Presidential Security Command Military Police 211th Battalion
Presidential Office "Deep Regret... Strengthening Psychological Counseling for Security Unit"

A military police soldier responsible for the security of the Presidential Office in Taiwan made an extreme choice by shooting himself during his night duty on the evening of the 1st.

According to multiple Taiwanese media outlets including Liberty Times on the 2nd, at around 9:40 PM local time on the previous day (the 1st), Private Gu, a member of the 211th Military Police Battalion in charge of the Presidential Office security, shot himself in front of Gate 1 of the Presidential Office while standing night guard.

Exterior view of the Taiwan Presidential Office Building.
[Photo by Taiwan Zhongshi News Network]

Other security personnel at a nearby post immediately reported the incident and requested medical assistance. Private Gu received emergency treatment but was pronounced dead at the hospital around 10:25 PM.

A military official stated, "It is presumed that Private Gu, a soldier in his 20s, was experiencing emotional distress."

Lin Yu-chan, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said in a statement, "The Presidential Office deeply regrets this unfortunate incident" and added, "The incident was promptly reported to President Tsai."

Spokesperson Lin also said, "The 211th Military Police Battalion is actively cooperating with the bereaved family in handling related matters" and conveyed their position to "actively cooperate with follow-up measures and investigations to determine the cause."

BNN Breaking viewed this incident as highlighting the urgent need for psychological support within the Taiwanese military. Amid rising military tensions with China, the pressure faced by Taiwanese soldiers is increasing, yet there is no proper system in place to care for their mental health.

Regarding this, Spokesperson Lin stated that "life education and psychological counseling for the security units will be strengthened."

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that this is not the first time a Taiwanese soldier has taken his own life while on duty at the Presidential Office.

According to the report, in May 2012, during the administration of then-opposition Kuomintang President Ma Ying-jeou, a 22-year-old soldier from the same battalion ended his life with a rifle at the main gate.