Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who came third in Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election, has once again stirred controversy by accusing prosecutors of blackmail and misconduct during his ongoing legal proceedings. On Thursday, Ko appeared in Taipei District Court and insisted that the interrogation video from August 30, 2023, be released to the public, claiming it would prove he was subjected to illegal and coercive treatment.
Ko, who previously served two terms as mayor and was the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman, has been detained for over eight months and was indicted in December for multiple offenses: bribery, favoritism, embezzlement, and breach of public trust. The allegations are tied to land development deals during his second term (2018–2022) and possibly linked to his campaign fundraising activities during the 2024 presidential race.
🔎 The Allegations: Blackmail and Coercion
In a prior court hearing on March 20, Ko alleged that prosecutor Lin Chun-yen (林俊言) threatened to release “obscene footage” allegedly found on a seized hard drive unless Ko confessed during interrogation. This week, Ko reiterated those claims and said the public must see how he was treated to assess the fairness of the legal process.
Taipei prosecutors have strongly denied the allegations and requested a public examination of the interrogation footage and hard drive to dispel rumors of misconduct. Prosecutors are seeking a 28.5-year prison sentence for Ko, highlighting the gravity of the accusations.
🧩 New Developments in Court
Thursday’s hearing also addressed a request by lawyers representing two other suspects, Lee Wen-tsung and Lee Wen-chuan, for access to Ko’s phone data and seized hard drives. Furthermore, the admissibility of key testimonies from Pong Cheng-sheng, former deputy mayor, and Shao Hsiu-pei, a former urban planning official, was under scrutiny.
Ko’s defense team argues that both Pong and Shao were likely subject to undue pressure during their own interrogations. During questioning, Pong was allegedly warned he might “end up like Yu Wen” — a former presidential aide who was jailed in a high-profile corruption case in 2008. Ko’s lawyers cite this as a coercive tactic used to elicit testimonies implicating Ko.
⚖️ Ko’s Defense: Still in the Dark After 8 Months
Ko told the court that even after eight months of pre-trial detention, he remains uncertain about the exact nature of the crimes he is accused of. He firmly denies any wrongdoing, claiming he never accepted bribes or misused political donations.
He also criticized the length and intensity of his interrogations, which he said violated Taiwan’s legal protections against cruel or excessive questioning. In contrast, Prosecutor Chiang Chang-chih stated that Ko was offered breaks during interrogation sessions but had voluntarily declined them.
🏙️ What’s at Stake for Taiwan’s Justice System
This high-profile case raises important questions about:
- The integrity and transparency of Taiwan’s judicial process.
- The influence of politics in corruption probes.
- The public’s trust in legal institutions, especially when cases involve former presidential candidates.
If Ko’s claims of prosecutorial abuse are substantiated through the release of interrogation footage, it could undermine public confidence in Taiwan’s justice system. However, if prosecutors are vindicated, it could reaffirm their commitment to upholding rule of law — even when the defendant is a high-profile political figure.
📊 Political Ramifications
Ko’s TPP has positioned itself as a third-force alternative to the traditional DPP–KMT rivalry. How this case unfolds could significantly influence the TPP’s public image and political future. It also comes at a time when Taiwan is facing increased external pressures and must maintain strong democratic institutions to resist authoritarian influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
📌 FAQs
What is Ko Wen-je accused of?
Ko is accused of bribery, embezzlement, favoritism, and breach of public trust related to real estate development projects and political donations.
What is his defense?
Ko denies all charges, claims he was coerced during interrogation, and demands the release of footage that he says proves misconduct by prosecutors.
What is the significance of the hard drive and phone data?
Prosecutors allege it contains incriminating evidence, including potentially obscene material. Ko insists its contents have been misrepresented and used as a coercive tool.
Why is this case important to Taiwan’s democracy?
It tests the fairness of Taiwan’s judiciary and could impact future political alignments, especially for newer parties like the TPP.
What sentence is being sought?
The prosecution is seeking a 28.5-year prison sentence for Ko.
