Taiwan Spy Chief Quits Over $200,000 Tax-Free Cigarettes Scandal

Taiwan’s intelligence chief quit after accusations that an agent attempted to use President Tsai Ing-wen’s overseas trip to secure some $200,000 worth of tax-free cigarettes.

National Security Bureau Director-General Peng Sheng-chu resigned July 22, hours after the smuggling attempt was discovered upon Tsai’s returned from her visit to the Caribbean that included a U.S.-stopover. Tsai said in a Facebook post that the allegations represented unacceptable conduct by government officials and undercut the trip’s diplomatic mission, “leading to ignorance of the achievements of visits to allies.”

The incident created a new political worry for Tsai as she girds for what’s expected ...