Deputy Economics Minister Woody Duh is set to take over as Taiwan's new economics minister. The decision was announced in a press release on Sunday evening.
Earlier in the day, Premier Jiang Yi-huah accepted the resignation of Economics Minister Chang Chia-juch, despite repeated efforts to dissuade Chang from stepping down.
Chang is the highest-ranking official to quit in the wake of a series of deadly gas explosions in Kaohsiung on July 31, which killed at least 30 people and injured more than 300. Chang has also expressed frustration with the legislative process, and the inability of the different political parties to work together, which has hampered the workings of the economics ministry.
Presidential Office spokesperson Ma Wei-kuo said that President Ma Ying-jeou has expressed regret over Chang's resignation but said that he respected the decision.
The president also acknowledged Chang's efforts during his 1.5 years in office to forge economic cooperation agreements with Singapore and New Zealand, and a service trade pact with China; and to adjust the nation’s energy policy and prices.