Darren Wang: Taiwan actor arrested for evading conscription begins military service

Taiwanese actor Darren Wang, who was previously arrested for allegedly evading military service, has now begun his service. According to local media reports, Wang, who rose to fame in the 2015 youth romantic comedy "Our Times," is suspected of using forged medical documents in an attempt to obtain an exemption from mandatory military service.

All men in Taiwan are required to serve one year of mandatory military service. In 2022, the Taiwanese government extended the conscription period from four months to one year, citing increasing threats from mainland China. Taiwan views itself as distinct from mainland China, but China considers the self-governing island a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing's control.

News of the 33-year-old Wang's alleged draft evasion previously sparked debate on Chinese social media, with some Taiwanese netizens accusing him of shirking his duty, while others demanded that he "become a Chinese citizen." Wang is popular in mainland China and has previously referred to the mainland as his "homeland," further fueling the controversy.

Wang was arrested at his home on February 18 and taken in for questioning by police before being released on bail. Local news reports state that he is being investigated for allegedly forging medical documents, with Taiwan's Central News Agency reporting that "relevant evidence" had been seized from his home. After his release on bail, he was again investigated for alleged involvement in an attempted murder case, with reports indicating that police found unfavorable information on his phone. Consequently, Wang was detained again in March before being released on bail once more. Currently, he remains under investigation for both accusations.

On Thursday, Wang joined more than 1,000 new recruits for training at the Chenggongling camp in Taichung City. They will undergo several weeks of basic training before being assigned to specialized units. All men in Taiwan over the age of 18 are required to perform military service—although deferments can be granted in certain circumstances. However, all men must complete their service before the age of 36. In the 1990s, men were required to serve up to three years, with the conscription period gradually shortening in subsequent decades, eventually reduced to four months.

However, then-President Tsai Ing-wen stated in 2022 that military service would be extended to one year, given increasing tensions with China. She said at the time that "Taiwan is at the forefront of authoritarian expansion," adding that conscripts would also receive more rigorous training, drawing on elements from the United States and other advanced militaries, to enhance their combat readiness.