Lin Kuo-chang Rejects Cancer Risk Claims Over Drone Policy as 'Unscientific'

(CNA, Yilan, 21st, by reporter Wang Chao-yu) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Yilan County magistrate candidate Lin Kuo-chang's policy proposal to introduce a drone industry has drawn criticism from the camp of his opponent, Wu Tsung-hsien, who questioned if improper regulation during manufacturing could increase cancer risks. Lin stated that making unscientific claims obstructs the development of the drone industry. On the 11th, Lin proposed the "Ocean New Yilan" plan to create a "Taiwan Smart Bay" in Su'ao, introducing a high-end marine technology and AI drone industry chain to create high-paying jobs and allow young people to stay in their hometown. Cheng Hao-wen, spokesperson for the campaign office of Kuomintang (KMT) Yilan County magistrate candidate Wu Tsung-hsien, said yesterday that Lin's proposal for drones to enter the Yilan Science Park might involve the use of substances like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the manufacturing process. He argued that long-term exposure due to improper regulation would significantly increase cancer risks and questioned if Lin has plans for prohibition or regulation. Speaking to reporters in Toucheng Township today, Lin said that drones and AI are key future industrial trends and are priority projects that all counties and cities are actively competing for. He argued that if they were as dangerous as Wu Tsung-hsien's team claims, local governments would not be rushing to develop them, calling it a serious misunderstanding of the drone industry. Lin stated that drone applications include commercial, agricultural, and defense sectors. He questioned the motive behind using such unscientific claims to block the drone industry's development, especially given the importance of drones for national defense, asking if the intention was to obstruct defense and industry. Cheng Hao-wen later responded that their team has always provided clear answers to the issues raised by Lin, hoping to create a new democratic election environment for county residents through rational public policy discussions. He expressed regret that Lin chose to misrepresent their statements and resort to deliberate smearing, causing the election to regress, which he believes residents neither want to see nor approve of. Additionally, Lin announced in Toucheng today the launch of the "237 Yilan Stamp Action," where he will lead his team to visit all 237 villages and hamlets in the county to hand-deliver his policy platform. For the starting point of Toucheng, Lin also declared that he will vigorously promote the elevation of the railway in Toucheng and Jiaoxi and plan tourism packages based on Toucheng's coastal and cultural resources. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150521