TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hsinchu City Mayor Ann Kao (高虹安) resumed her duties on Thursday (Dec. 18) after corruption charges were overturned on appeal in her assistant's fee case. A large group of supporters and city officials welcomed Kao at the city government office following the legal reversal. The return ends a period during which Kao was removed from office.
Kao became emotional during her speech, describing the past year as feeling like her life had been on pause, according to local media reports. She expressed gratitude to her family for their unwavering support, saying she finally had the courage to tell them she was safe. Despite the legal victory, Kao remains cautious about her political future, stating she will consult with the chairmen of the Blue and White parties, political coalitions, before deciding on a 2026 re-election bid.
Kao attended a press conference for the firefighter calendar, where she shared mixed emotions about being labeled corrupt. She noted that the recall, a local removal vote, had spread the misinformation that she is corrupt to every corner of Hsinchu City. Kao acknowledged the difficulty of bearing such a heavy label as a public figure and encouraged former Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民衆黨), a centrist political party, Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) to stay mentally and physically healthy.
The Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, showed goodwill by allowing Kao to seek re-election, but she remains undecided, emphasizing the need for further discussions with party leaders. Meanwhile, the High Prosecutors Office is considering an appeal, suggesting her legal battles may not be over. ◼
