J.W. Kuo (Chinese: 郭智輝; born 7 February 1953) is a Taiwanese business executive and politician who was appointed the Minister of Economic Affairs in 2024.
J.W. Kuo | |
|---|---|
郭智輝 | |
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| 36th Minister of Economic Affairs | |
| Assuming office 20 May 2024 | |
| Premier | Cho Jung-tai |
| Succeeding | Wang Mei-hua |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 February 1953 (age 71) Pingtung County, Taiwan |
| Political party | Independent |
Kuo was born in Pingtung County. In his first sales job after completing military service, Kuo learned Japanese in two years, and later worked for Terry Gou as an interpreter and driver.[1] Kuo has served as chairman of TeaLa, and cofounded Topco Scientific Company.[2][3]
On 16 April 2024, Kuo was appointed Minister of Economic Affairs in Cho Jung-tai's incoming cabinet, succeeding Wang Mei-hua in the role.[3][4] Members of the Kuomintang panned the selection of Kuo as economic minister, drawing attention to violations of the Securities and Exchange Act by Kuo and Topco in 2005, and Kuo's investments in China, an issue that had affected Terry Gou's 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns.[5]
References edit
- ^ Yeh, Su-ping; Lai, Yu-chen; Wu, Jeffrey; Tseng, Jen-kai; Huang, Frances (16 April 2024). "Appointed economics minister dubbed 'slashie entrepreneur'". Central News Agency. Retrieved 16 April 2024. Republished as: "Appointed economics minister dubbed 'slashie entrepreneur'". Taipei Times. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ Liu, Chien-ling; Huang, Frances (1 February 2024). "Taiwan, Czech groups sign semiconductor cooperation MOU". Central News Agency. Retrieved 16 April 2024. Republished as: "Taiwan, Czech groups ink chip cooperation". Taipei Times. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ a b Teng, Pei-ju; Lin, Sean (16 April 2024). "New economics, national development heads tapped from private sector". Central News Agency. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ Chen, Christie (16 April 2024). "Economics minister, NDC chief among new Cabinet members announced". Central News Agency. Retrieved 16 April 2024. Republished as: Chen, Yun; Madjar, Kayleigh (16 April 2024). "New economics, digital ministers announced". Taipei Times.
- ^ Lin, Che-yuan; Chung, Jake (18 April 2024). "KMT lawmakers slam decision to appoint J.W. Kuo". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 April 2024.