Taiwan politician Ko Wen-je and his party face ‘crisis of trust’ after arrest

Former presidential candidate has been detained as part of a corruption probe into a property development when he was Taipei mayor

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Taiwan People’s Party leader Ko Wen-je has denied any wrongdoing in the case. Photo: CNA

Published: 2:00pm, 7 Sep 2024

Taiwanese politician Ko Wen-je’s career and the future of the opposition party he founded are in jeopardy after he became embroiled in a corruption probe last week.

Ko – a former Taipei mayor and leader of the Taiwan People’s Party who finished third in the presidential race in January – was detained on August 31 after investigators raided his home and office.

Prosecutors said he was questioned over his alleged role in a property development during his time as the city’s mayor from 2014 to 2022.

The Taipei District Court ordered his release on Monday, saying there was insufficient evidence to continue holding him. But he was again detained on Thursday after the High Court overturned that decision, citing testimonies from other defendants suggesting Ko was “actively involved” in the case.

The case involves alleged favours and payments from businesspeople and politicians that prosecutors say helped the property developer – who has also been arrested – gain more than NT$20 billion (US$623.6 million) in profits.

Ko Wen-je (centre) during a TPP protest against the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in May. Photo: AFP

Ko has denied any wrongdoing in the case. In a statement after he was detained on Thursday, the TPP said the High Court ruling had failed to provide evidence showing Ko had taken bribes in exchange for the Taipei government approving the property project.