Taiwan's justice minister has resigned after she attracted a storm of criticism over a vow not to order any executions during her term, an official said Friday.

"Minister Wang Ching-feng tendered her resignation late Thursday night, and the premier approved it," an official from the Government Information Office said.

Wang said Wednesday she would rather quit than order the execution of any of the 44 convicts currently on death row, adding she was willing to die in their place or "descend to hell" for them.

Her remarks triggered stern condemnation from lawmakers and activists in favour of preserving the death penalty, as well as a statement from Premier Wu Den-yih that Taiwan was not about to abolish capital punishment.

"Taiwan is a place governed by the rule of law. There is no law that could suspend any executions of convicts already on the death row," the cabinet said in a statement.

Taiwan has not executed any convict since 2005.