Taipei: Premier Cho Jung-tai has suspended Taiwan's trade representative, Yang Jen-ni, following a Cabinet investigation that determined Yang had engaged in workplace bullying against her late deputy.

According to Focus Taiwan, the suspension was enacted after Premier Cho held a meeting with Yang to discuss the findings of the investigation, which were revealed last Friday. Yang has been relieved of her duties as minister without portfolio under regulations that govern the occupational safety and hygiene of civil servants. In her absence, her two deputies and executive secretary will manage the Office of Trade Negotiations. Additionally, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun will preside over trade negotiations, including those with the United States.

The Cabinet's statement did not specify the subsequent steps to address Yang's suspension. However, Yang has hinted at possible legal action against an individual she claims is attempting to slander her. This development follows local media reports accusing Yang of bullying her late deputy, Yen Huai-hsing, shortly after Yen resigned in February and passed away on March 12 at the age of 53.

Yen's resignation letter indicated that her proposals, particularly those concerning Taiwan's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and a systematic overhaul of the office, were consistently overlooked. Despite these allegations, Yang has denied any wrongdoing.

Yang criticized the investigation as "partial," arguing that it lacked evidence and did not provide her an opportunity to present her side. She claimed that she and Yen had a supportive relationship and that rumors of discord only emerged after Yen's death. Yang has traced the alleged slander to a single influential source, though she did not disclose the identity, and is contemplating legal action to protect her reputation.