TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Authorities intensified their investigation into the Core Pacific City (京華城) scandal, summoning former Dingyue Development Corp. President Chu Yea-hu (朱亞虎) for the fifth time on Wednesday (Oct. 30). Prosecutors aim to uncover the details of Chu's alleged bribery and financial transactions and determine his connection to the Taiwan People's Party's (TPP, 民眾黨) political donations case.
Chu, a retired major general, once served as director of the military service bureau during Hau Lung-bin's (郝龍斌) tenure as Taipei mayor. Known for his humor and strong relationships across sectors, he later became chairman of Dingyue Development under the Core Pacific Group (威京集團), maintaining close ties with its chairman Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京).
Chu admitted to some bribery charges under the Anti-Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例) during questioning. However, discrepancies between his statements and evidence, along with testimonies from co-defendants and witnesses, prompted prosecutors to request his detention. The Taipei District Court (台北地方法院) granted this request, citing concerns about evidence tampering and witness collusion.
After Chu's appeal, the Taiwan High Court (台灣高等法院) ordered a retrial, but the Taipei District Court upheld the detention, and the High Court dismissed the appeal.
Since late August, the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office (台北地檢署) has conducted several searches and interviews, leading to the detention of seven individuals, including former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), former Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng, Sheen, Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Taipei City Councilor Angela Ying (應曉薇), her assistant Wu Shun-min (吳順民), Chu, and former Ko campaign finance director Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗).
