TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) announced on Monday (Sept. 9) that he will not appeal his detention, citing concerns over complicating court proceedings in the ongoing Core Pacific City redevelopment scandal.
Ko's legal team issued a joint statement that same day, confirming his decision not to appeal in line with his wishes. The statement noted that Ko will serve a two-month detention and expressed his hope that prosecutors will thoroughly investigate the case.
This week is crucial for the case as prosecutors have solidified charges of profiteering against Ko and are investigating unclear financial accounts for possible bribery.
Taipei District Prosecutor Chen Wen-jin (陳玟瑾), recognized for uncovering a major cryptocurrency fraud case last year, will lead the financial investigation in the coming weeks, according to a local media report.
Over the weekend, the TPP held its first rally outside the Legislative Yuan, protesting judicial injustice and showing support for Ko. The three-hour event attracted around 20,000 attendees, with over 100,000 watching online, the party claimed.
During the rally, an unreleased video of Ko was shown, in which he stated, “I deeply feel that the most serious problem in Taiwanese society is the lack of justice in the judicial process.”
“I hope for fundamental judicial justice, and I also hope Taiwan becomes a normal country. I look forward to a better Taiwan, and this is what we should continue working toward,” Ko emphasized in the pre-recorded video.
Ko's wife, Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), tearfully addressed the crowd, expressing concern for her husband’s well-being. “In our 33 years of marriage, for the first time, I don’t know if he is sleeping well,” she said, vowing to seek justice for him.
At the rally, TPP Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) announced plans for a series of nationwide events, including outdoor gatherings, street talks, and community meetings, to mobilize more Taiwanese for reform.
