MODA Shocked by Collective Workplace Bullying Scandal: Cyber Security and Resilience Officials Demoted After Abuse Confirmed

On December 11, 2024, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) officially released the investigation results on internal workplace bullying allegations, confirming abuse in two cases. The scandal was exposed by legislators in early December, accusing Cheng Ming-chung, Director-General of the Resilience Building Department, and other cybersecurity officials of long-term verbal abuse, calling subordinates "bastards," forcing public servants to pay out of pocket for official meals, and threatening them with low performance reviews. The investigation confirmed that the Director-General of Resilience Building and the Deputy Director-General of the Administration for Cyber Security engaged in inappropriate management constituting bullying; both were stripped of their directorships and demoted. Coming on the heels of the Ministry of Labor bullying scandal, this case triggered intense public criticism of government bureaucratic toxicity. Although Minister Huang Yen-nun apologized and promised reforms, MODA's decision to classify the full report as confidential and avoid comprehensive anonymous surveys drew backlash for transparency failure.