Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je detained in corruption probe
Ex-Taipei mayor detained over urban redevelopment corruption allegations
A former Taiwanese presidential candidate and ex-mayor of Taipei, Ko Wen-je, has been detained as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe. On Thursday night, authorities took Ko back into custody, reversing an earlier decision that allowed him to go home. He is now held incommunicado, with no contact allowed outside the detention facility.
The investigation centres on allegations of illegal favours and payments involving businesspeople and local politicians, linked to an urban redevelopment project poised to yield significant profits by bypassing required reviews. Ko can appeal this decision further on Friday.
Despite intense media scrutiny, Taiwan’s democracy and independent legal system remain unaffected. Ko leads the Taiwan People’s Party, garnering support from young voters seeking an alternative to the long-standing two-party dominance. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Nationalist Party have ruled Taiwanese politics for the past two decades.
Taiwan People’s Party calls Ko Wen-je accusations ‘speculation’https://t.co/nyiwjMbCsW pic.twitter.com/xZbSDW7XxH
— Taiwan News (@TaiwanNewsEN) September 5, 2024
In May, Ko Wen-je and others were implicated in a scandal involving the Core Pacific Center shopping centre. The developer was permitted to significantly expand the leasable floor space during Ko’s tenure as mayor from 2014 to 2022. Ko denies any knowledge or involvement in the case, though evidence suggests otherwise. He faces up to four months in detention while the investigation continues.
The Taipei District Court justified his continued detention due to the substantial funds involved, the gravity of the alleged crimes, and the risk of him collaborating to hide evidence or fabricate testimony. Ko secured about a quarter of the vote in this year’s election, finishing third behind DPP’s William Lai Ching-te.
The TPP secured just under 3% of legislative seats, with Ko particularly popular among young voters despite lacking a clear political platform.
Unable to align with either the DPP or the Nationalists, Ko finds himself with few political allies outside his core supporters. A few hundred of his backers have rallied outside Taipei’s courthouse. Despite unsubstantiated accusations of judicial persecution, President Lai has refrained from commenting directly on Ko’s case.
Political corruption, once a major issue in Taiwan, has decreased significantly, thanks to the strengthened role of independent investigators.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Al Jazeera reports that a Taiwanese court has ordered the release of former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, arrested in a corruption probe involving the Core Pacific City redevelopment project. (read more)
- Bloomberg reports that Ko Wen-je, former leader of Taiwan’s opposition party, was arrested for corruption in a property development scandal while he was mayor of Taipei. (read more)
- RFI reports that former Taipei Mayor and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je was detained for alleged corruption, reversing a previous court decision citing risk of evidence tampering and witness collusion. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Ko Wen-je?
Ko Wen-je is a former Taiwanese presidential candidate and ex-mayor of Taipei.
Why was Ko Wen-je detained?
He was detained due to his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal related to an urban redevelopment project.
What is Ko Wen-je accused of?
He is accused of illegal favors and payments from business people and local politicians.
How has Ko Wen-je’s detention affected Taiwan’s democracy?
Despite media attention, Ko’s case has had little effect on Taiwan’s robust democracy and independent legal system.
What support did Ko Wen-je receive in the election?
Ko finished third with about a quarter of the vote, drawing support mainly from young Taiwanese.
