TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A high-profile corruption case involving one of Taipei's landmark development projects advanced Thursday (July 17) as the Taipei District Court (台北地方法院) convened a hearing that brought together several prominent figures in Taiwan's business and political circles. The court summoned former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who founded a major opposition party after his mayoral term. Also appearing were Chen Chun-yuan (陳俊源), the legal affairs manager of Core Pacific Group (威京集團), a major Taiwanese conglomerate, and Gary Wang (王令麟), the influential president of media powerhouse Eastern Media Group (東森集團).
The proceedings aimed to unravel the complex financial transactions through which Core Pacific Group chairman Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京) allegedly orchestrated bribes disguised as political contributions. Prosecutors contend that Sheen directed Chen and six associates to funnel NT$2.1 million (approximately US$71,400) to the Taiwan People's Party (民眾黨), a political party founded by Ko after his mayoral term. Chen has already confessed to his role in the scheme. He secured a deferred prosecution agreement requiring him to pay NT$1.2 million (about US$40,800) to government coffers over a two-year probationary period.
Key evidence in the case includes a digital ledger discovered during a search of Ko's residence, where investigators found a "workbook" file containing suspicious financial records. Prosecutors highlighted an entry reading "2022/11/1, Little Sheen, 1500, Sheen Ching-jing" as crucial evidence linking Ko directly to the alleged bribes. Another notable entry documented "2022/10/1, Gary Wang, 500, Ann Kao (高虹安), manager Chiu Pei-lin (邱佩琳)." During previous testimony, Wang revealed that Chiu, who now serves as deputy mayor of Keelung, a major port city in northern Taiwan, had approached him regarding the party's financial requirements and solicited donations.
The legal saga began last December when the Taipei District Prosecutors Office formally charged Ko, Sheen, and 11 additional defendants with multiple serious offenses including bribery, profiteering, embezzlement, and breach of trust. Prosecutors have requested an extraordinarily severe sentence of 28 years and 6 months for the former mayor, underscoring the gravity of the allegations. The indictment alleges that Sheen provided financial inducements strategically designed to secure permanent development rights with an increased floor area ratio for the lucrative Core Pacific City redevelopment project, potentially worth millions in additional profits.
