Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je Faces Scrutiny as Corruption Case Developments Unfold
Taipei, Taiwan – Former Taipei Mayor and founder of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), Ko Wen-je, is at the center of a developing legal saga involving allegations of corruption. Recent reports indicate a potential shift in the case, with speculation surrounding the return of a key figure to Taiwan to face questioning.
According to multiple Taiwanese news outlets, including the Liberty Times, Yahoo News, United News Network, ETtoday News Cloud and Hua Shi News Network, a woman identified as “Orange” (橘子), reportedly Hsu Chih-yu, is expected to return to Taiwan after the Lunar New Year to turn herself in to authorities. Hsu is reportedly in possession of crucial mobile phone records related to the corruption investigation.
Ko Wen-je responded to the reports, issuing a statement through the media urging Hsu to “make a fresh start.” He suggested that the individual who leaked the information should be the one to reflect on their actions and “change for the better,” according to reports.
The case stems from allegations that Core Pacific Group Chairman Sheen Ching-jing allegedly bribed Ko Wen-je during his tenure as mayor in exchange for favorable treatment. Ko, along with ten other individuals, were indicted in December 2024. The Taipei District Court began a two-day evidence presentation on Thursday, December 12, 2025, reviewing over 200 volumes of evidence, including witness testimonies and documents.
Ko Wen-je had previously requested that the oral arguments and subsequent ruling in his case be broadcast live, believing it would allow him to directly address the public and clarify his position. However, the Taipei District Court initially ruled that only a delayed broadcast of the ruling would be made public within five days of its announcement. Ko appealed this decision to the Taiwan High Court, but the appeal was rejected on Friday, December 12, 2025.
The former Taipei Mayor was released on bail of NT$70 million (approximately US$2.29 million) on September 9, 2025, after nearly a year in detention. The conditions of his release include remaining at a registered address, wearing a GPS-enabled ankle monitor, and being prohibited from leaving the country or contacting codefendants or witnesses. Upon his release, Ko described his time in detention as a period of “suffering,” stating he had minimal contact with others and rarely saw sunlight.
Ko Wen-je has consistently maintained his innocence, alleging that the prosecution is politically motivated, orchestrated by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. He claimed that prosecutors “came up empty” despite extensive searches of his home, family, aides, and the TPP headquarters, suggesting the party is being unfairly targeted.
The case continues to draw significant attention in Taiwan, with implications for the political landscape and the future of the TPP. The upcoming oral arguments are scheduled to begin on Monday, and the public awaits the court’s decision with keen interest. The return of Hsu Chih-yu and the potential evidence she possesses are expected to play a crucial role in the proceedings.
As reported by MSN, Ko Wen-je’s release from detention stirred debate within the opposition, raising questions about the direction of the TPP and its future strategies.
