In a recent development, Hsu Ching-kuang, the president and founder of Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese pager company, faced questioning by prosecutors in Taipei. The interrogation, which lasted until late September 19, 2024, was related to the detonation of thousands of pagers targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon on September 17, 2024.
Gold Apollo has been linked to the incident that resulted in nine fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries. However, Hsu maintains that his company did not manufacture the devices used in the attack. He attributes the production to BAC, a Budapest-based firm licensed to use Gold Apollo's brand.
"Gold Apollo did not manufacture the devices used in the attack."
The pager, an invention from the 1950s that gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, has unexpectedly become a tool in modern conflict. This incident highlights the potential repurposing of older technologies for unintended purposes.
Investigations are ongoing, with Taiwan's government actively involved. Law enforcement has made multiple visits to Gold Apollo's modest office in New Taipei City. Additionally, Teresa Wu, the sole employee of Apollo Systems Ltd, a company established in April 2024, was also questioned by prosecutors.
The attack has intensified the already tense situation between Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite Muslim political party and militant group founded in 1985, has vowed retaliation against Israel, despite the latter not claiming responsibility for the detonations.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing cross-border conflicts between Israel and Lebanon, which have persisted intermittently since the 1970s. The current tensions escalated following the eruption of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, approximately 11 months ago.
The involvement of a Taiwanese company in this international incident underscores Taiwan's complex position in global affairs. Despite its thriving technology industry, Taiwan's official diplomatic relations are limited due to China's "One China" policy.
As the investigation unfolds, questions arise about the connection between Gold Apollo, Apollo Systems Ltd, and the Hungarian firm BAC. The incident also highlights the intricate web of international relations, technology transfer, and regional conflicts in the Middle East.