A poll by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research shows that more than 60% of Taiwanese support the government’s proposed special defense budget. This Wednesday, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said he hopes both the ruling and opposition parties will consider public sentiment as they conduct a review. 

Speaking to reporters before the legislative session, Koo said that the results of the poll reflect broad public support for strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities. He further noted that the data not only shows support for enhancing national defense, but also endorses the Cabinet’s NT$1.25 trillion version of the bill, in accordance with the principle of achieving peace through strength and continuously building deterrence.

Koo urged the legislature to carry out its review with these findings in mind, saying he hopes lawmakers from both sides can set aside partisan politics and work rationally toward enhancing the country’s combat and deterrence capacity.

In response to opposition criticism that arms purchases from the United States have frequently been delayed and lack adequate oversight mechanisms, Koo stressed that Washington has already established a dedicated task force to accelerate deliveries and that Taiwan cannot put defense building on hold simply because of delays in individual cases. He emphasized that all military capabilities must be built up incrementally and continuously.