Ko Wen-je, former Taipei mayor and 2024 presidential candidate, has been indicted on charges of bribery and misuse of political donations during his tenure as mayor from 2014 to 2022. Prosecutors allege that Ko accepted NT$17.1 million (approximately $2.5 million USD) in bribes and misappropriated over NT$68 million in political donations.
The indictment accuses Ko of granting illegal benefits to a conglomerate involved in a property development project, allegedly bypassing building regulations in exchange for bribes. Prosecutors have recommended a prison sentence exceeding 28 years for the former mayor.
Ko, the founder and leader of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), has denied the allegations. The TPP has described the charges as politically motivated and lacking sufficient evidence. The case has dented Ko’s political standing, potentially affecting his aspirations for a 2028 presidential bid.
The Taiwan People’s Party, which Ko founded in 2019, holds eight seats in Taiwan’s 113-seat parliament and is seen as a significant force in the country’s political landscape.
As the case unfolds, public scrutiny remains high, with many watching closely to see how this will impact the TPP and Taiwan’s broader political dynamics.
