New justice minister will not execute all 44 inmates at once

Wu said Tseng Yung-fu, who will be sworn in as justice minister tomorrow, will act in line with the law concerning the execution of 44 inmates currently on the death-row.

But the premier asked society not to give Tseng too much pressure.

“Executing all 44 death-row inmates at the same time would create too much of an impact,” said Wu. “For the sake of the country's reputation and the rule of law, Tseng Yung-fu will handle the matter properly.”

Tseng is taking over the office vacated by Wang Ching-feng, who resigned earlier this month after sparking a controversy over her refusal to carry out the execution of the death-row inmates.

Wu said Tseng's position is the same as that of President Ma Ying-jeou and the Cabinet concerning the need to act according to the law.

The abolition of the death penalty will need to be backed by a strong national consensus, Wu added.

Public opinion polls conducted in the wake of Wang's refusal to sign the death warrants have shown that the vast majority of the people are against abolishing capital punishment.

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