HSINCHU (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je is under scrutiny for the alleged illegal usage of farmland in Hsinchu. Commenting on the controversy, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Cho Kuan-ting on Friday (Dec. 22) claimed on Facebook that industrial waste such as bricks, cement, and steel bars were discovered during the excavation of the farmland's parking lot, and called for a legal investigation.
Cho's post emphasized, "The good farmland is ruined, and a big secret is revealed from Ko's farmland. I plead with Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao to take Ko Wen-je into custody."
The Hsinchu City Government had earlier confirmed that the farmland, held by Ko, was not being used for farming and demanded modifications within 30 days.
Ko responded, stating that the farmland was illegally used as a parking lot for tour buses only in the past two years. He promised to pay the due income tax and even donate the parking lot's earnings.
Ko further revealed that he has asked TPP legislator-at-large nominee Huang Kuo-chang to help handle the issue legally.
While emphasizing that Ko, as the owner, should take responsibility for the ruined farmland, Cho accused him of knowingly violating the law. Attention now turns to the potential repercussions of the allegations on Ko's presidential campaign.
