Taiwanese prosecutors have indicted Ko Wen-je, former Taipei mayor and recent presidential candidate, on charges of corruption, misuse of political donations, and breach of trust.
The prosecutors have recommended a prison sentence of 28 years and six months for Ko.
Ko, who led the Taiwan People’s Party, ran as a third-party candidate in Taiwan’s January presidential election, securing about 25% of the vote. However, his political career has since been overshadowed by allegations, including a major corruption case tied to a property development project during his mayoral tenure from 2018 to 2022.
The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office detailed the charges, focusing on Ko’s involvement in the Core Pacific City redevelopment project. Prosecutors allege that the project’s floor area ratio was substantially increased with city government approval, significantly benefiting developer Sheen Ching-jing.
“Ko personally accepted a bribe of NT$15 million ($459,000) from Sheen in 2022 and unlawfully pocketed an additional NT$2.1 million from his company,” said Kao I-shu, deputy chief prosecutor, during a press briefing.
According to prosecutors, Sheen’s illicit profits from the project exceeded NT$20 billion ($625 million). Ko also stands accused of destroying evidence during the investigation, including shredding notes in his office and instructing associates to flee the country.
“His behavior after the alleged crimes, including attempts to obstruct the investigation, reflects poorly on his post-offense conduct,” Kao added.
Beyond the corruption charges, Ko is accused of embezzling over NT$60 million in political donations meant for the TPP and misusing approximately NT$8.27 million from a social welfare foundation to fund his presidential campaign.
Ko has consistently denied the corruption allegations. Regarding the accusations of misusing campaign funds, he publicly apologized to his supporters, admitting to errors in financial reporting but maintaining that there was no intentional wrongdoing.
Since September, Ko has been detained as investigations continue. Earlier this month, he stepped down as TPP leader, resigning as the party’s chairman through a letter written from prison.
