Inside the NT$100 Million Gag Clause in the Chen-Chao Divorce Agreement
The divorce agreement between Chen Hsing-yu and Chao Chien-ming has come to light, with a NT$100 million "hush money" clause at the centre of the dispute — a provision that works against Chao Chien-ming, who disclosed the contents on his own initiative.
- After returning to Taiwan, Chao Chien-ming released the divorce agreement himself; it contains a clause providing for NT$100 million in punitive damages.
- Sources close to Chen Shui-bian say the nine-clause version he displayed was only a draft, and that the version formally signed had six clauses.
- The high-value gag clause was one Chao Chien-ming insisted on including at the time, intended to conceal his conduct during the marriage; Chen Hsing-yu signed it knowingly in exchange for the divorce.
- Lawyers argue that the details of the agreement are themselves covered by the confidentiality clause, and that the party who disclosed them voluntarily is already suspected of breach.
- The Chen family stresses that Chen Hsing-yu's one-star review was directed solely at the medical treatment, and that details about the marriage were given only in response to media questions.
Outlook: Responsibility for who breached the confidentiality clause first will become the focus, and whether the NT$100 million claim is actually pursued bears watching.