TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuomintang chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) called for judicial independence Wednesday (Sept. 10), responding to the detention of former Taiwan People's Party leader Ko Wen-je (柯文哲). Chu addressed his party's central committee, Taiwan's main opposition party, warning against political manipulation of the legal system. The statement comes amid mounting tensions over Ko's long, pre-trial detention on corruption charges.
The Kuomintang leader denounced any attempts to weaponize Taiwan's judicial system for political gain, declaring such practices intolerable to citizens. Chu questioned the strength of evidence underlying bribery charges against Ko and condemned extended detention periods as harmful to judicial credibility. The opposition chairman argued that prolonged detentions without substantial proof undermine public confidence in Taiwan's legal institutions.
Chu demanded that courts base decisions strictly on factual evidence to rebuild public confidence in Taiwan's justice system. The opposition leader emphasized the critical need for Kuomintang-Taiwan People's Party cooperation in Taiwan's legislature and upcoming 2026 elections to oversee the ruling party effectively. Ko faces prosecution under Taiwan's Anti-Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例) in connection with the Core Pacific City scandal (京華城案), with authorities releasing him on NT$70 million (around US$2.3 million) bail on Sept. 8. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.318)
