Ko Wen-je, a prominent figure in Taiwanese politics and a former presidential candidate, faced indictment on corruption charges this Thursday.
A 65-year-old former mayor of Taipei faces serious allegations, accused of accepting bribes totaling half a million dollars linked to a real estate transaction during his time in office. Additionally, he is under scrutiny for misreporting campaign finances during his presidential bid in January.
Prosecutors are pursuing a prison sentence of up to 28.5 years.
Ko’s indictment represents a significant setback for the political movement he embodies, resonating with voters seeking an alternative to the ruling Democratic People’s Party and the main opposition Kuomintang.
Ko, who has refuted the corruption allegations against him, was taken into custody in September and remains in detention.
On Thursday, prosecutors announced he was one of 11 individuals facing prosecution. Multiple individuals affiliated with the Taiwan People’s Party are facing charges of misappropriating political donations.
In a surprising turn of events during January’s presidential election, Ko emerged as a formidable contender, securing over 25% of the vote. This result positioned him closely behind the ruling party’s candidate, Lai Ching-te, who garnered 40% of the votes.
At the time, observers noted that despite finishing last among the three presidential candidates, Ko’s significant support highlighted an apparent voter demand for a more diverse political landscape beyond the two dominant parties.
Ko gained recognition by positioning himself as an alternative to the two dominant political parties. He expressed criticism of the DPP for exacerbating tensions with Beijing, which regards the self-governed island as part of its territory, while also holding the KMT accountable for its excessive deference.
Following his backing of demonstrators in the anti-Beijing Sunflower Movement of 2014, Ko secured election as Taipei’s mayor as an independent candidate.
In 2018, he secured a second term, yet his political stance seemed to evolve, expanding Taipei’s ties with mainland China.
Ko has become a controversial figure in Taiwanese politics, often attracting attention with his bold statements and unconventional campaign strategies. He has earned the label of a “gaffe machine” and appeared in a rap video during his 2018 re-election campaign.
Following his loss in the presidential election, he pledged to continue pursuing his political ambitions, with plans to run for the presidency again in 2028. However, it is uncertain whether his party will be able to bounce back from the series of legal challenges it faces.
The arrest of Ko has sparked a wave of protests from his allies and supporters, who allege that the Democratic Progressive Party is leveraging the charges as a means to stifle dissent among its opponents.
