Tsai served as head prosecutor in Kinmen and Miaoli,[3] before taking office as the prosecutor-general of Keelung.[4] He later led the Department of Prosecutorial Affairs at the Ministry of Justice. In this role, Tsai facilitated the extradition of Gerhard Dieter Rockmann to Germany and Wang You-theng from the United States.[5][6] In mid-2007, Tsai was named head prosecutor of the Shilin District Prosecutors' Office.[7] After leaving Shilin, Tsai served as lead prosecutor in Taoyuan and chief secretary of the justice ministry,[3][8] followed by a stint as principal of the Judges Academy [zh].[9] He was subsequently named to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in July 2016.[9] In 2016, Tsai was appointed director general of the Investigation Bureau.[10][11][12] As bureau leader, Tsai investigated environmental damage and was especially known for leading drug busts.[13][14] Tsai was respected for his high standards, efficiency, and personal leadership style.[15] He was also known for his close relationship with William Lai.[16]
Minister of Justice
Tsai was appointed Minister of Justice in July 2018, succeeding Chiu Tai-san.[17][18] Tsai was formally sworn in on 16 July 2018.[19]
On 31 August 2018, Tsai Ching-hsiang ordered the execution of convicted murderer Lee Hung-chi.[20] Lee's death was the first execution carried out by the Tsai Ing-wen administration.[21]