Ko Wen-je's Detention Extended: A Deep Dive into Taiwan's Political Turmoil

Former TPP Chairman's Case Sparks Controversy and Calls for Justice

Taipei, Taiwan – The Taipei District Court has extended the detention of former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) for an additional two months, commencing April 2nd. This decision has ignited further debate surrounding the ongoing corruption case that has entangled the prominent political figure.

The court cited the risk of Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) potentially fleeing or colluding with others to destroy evidence as the basis for its ruling. This decision also impacts other individuals implicated in the case, including real estate tycoon Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), Ko's former mayoral office head Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗), and Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇), all of whom will remain detained and held incommunicado for the same duration.

The charges against Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) relate to alleged bribery, embezzlement, and breach of public trust offenses that transpired during his second term as Mayor of Taipei from 2018 to 2022, and also during his 2024 presidential campaign.

During the initial hearing, Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) refuted the accusations, claiming innocence. Prosecutors allege that he accepted bribes from Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京) to enable his Core Pacific Group to secure a significantly higher floor area ratio (FAR) for the Core Pacific City redevelopment project in Songshan District.

The FAR, representing the building's floor space relative to the lot size, is key. A higher FAR would have allowed Sheen's company to construct larger buildings and potentially generate greater profits.

Furthermore, Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) is accused of misusing over NT$60 million in political donations funneled through MuKo Public Relations Marketing Co., Ltd. for personal gain, a direct violation of the law.

In his defense, Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) stated that he did not thoroughly scrutinize the company's financial records, believing the funds solely comprised donations from supporters, and denied any intention of embezzlement.

The court also considered opinions regarding the necessity of Ko's continued detention during the hearing.

Following the court's decision, Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), the current TPP Chairman and legislative caucus whip, voiced strong disapproval, deeming the extended detention "unacceptable." Huang questioned the court's decision, noting that prosecutors had not presented evidence to support the claims of flight risk or witness tampering, and asserted that the ruling further damages the credibility of Taiwan's judicial system. Ko's legal team is preparing an appeal in pursuit of justice.