Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recalled its representative in Geneva, Greg Lee, following an investigation that confirmed allegations of workplace bullying, alongside the departure of ambassador to the Marshall Islands Hsu Wei-ming amid controversy over a proposed National Day performance.
The Bottom Line
- Taiwan’s representative in Geneva, Greg Lee, was removed from his post after an investigative team found he engaged in workplace bullying.
- Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Hsu Wei-ming returned home and is leaving his post following bipartisan criticism over a rehearsal video for a proposed Double Ten National Day performance.
- Taiwanese officials confirmed that bilateral ties with the Marshall Islands remain unaffected, with the embassy currently led by its second-in-command, minister Hank Liu.
Investigation Findings Against Geneva Representative Greg Lee
Greg Lee returned to Taiwan and began working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Treaty and Legal Affairs on a Monday, according to ministry statements reported by the Taipei Times. The Cabinet approved the recommendation to recall Lee after an ad hoc investigative team released findings on Oct. 7 concluding that he had abused his position of power.
The investigation determined that Lee frequently shouted and yelled during meetings, while repeatedly criticizing or obstructing subordinates. The probe concluded that his behavior exceeded the reasonable scope of his duties and continuously created a hostile work environment through threats, offenses, and insults, harming the physical and mental health of complaining staff members. Lee was also accused of misusing public resources for personal purposes in late July, though the ministry did not specify the status of that separate inquiry.
Ambassador Hsu Wei-ming Recalled Over Rehearsal Controversy
Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Hsu Wei-ming returned to Taiwan and will leave his post following controversy surrounding a proposed Double Ten National Day performance. Local media reported earlier in the month that the ministry had rejected Hsu’s suggestion for the Oct. 10 performance as inappropriate.
Bipartisan criticism intensified after a rehearsal video emerged showing Hsu lying astride a wooden bed carried aloft by eight Marshallese men acting as litter bearers. During a legislative session, Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Director-General Michael Lin and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Baushuan Ger stated that they had informed Hsu he was expected to wear formal attire and maintain a solemn demeanor as an ambassador.
| Official | Post | Action Taken | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Lee | Representative in Geneva | Recalled to Taipei headquarters | Workplace bullying findings |
| Hsu Wei-ming | Ambassador to the Marshall Islands | Recalled and leaving post | National Day rehearsal controversy |
Diplomatic Impact and Leadership Transition
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung told lawmakers that the ministry had managed to avert a major controversy by recalling Hsu to clarify the incident and conducting internal reviews to prevent recurrence. Lin noted that Taiwan maintained close contact with the Marshall Islands government throughout the process.
“It was purely the personal behavior of the ambassador — and the Marshall Islands, once apprised of the situation, expressed full support for how Taiwan handled the matter,” Lin said during the legislative session, adding that bilateral ties would remain unaffected.
Hsu took up the ambassadorial post in December last year. The Taiwanese embassy in the Marshall Islands is currently headed by its second-in-command, minister Hank Liu, the ministry said.
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