TAIPEI, Dec 26 - Taiwan prosecutors have charged former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je with accepting T$17.1 million ($522,392) in bribes related to a significant property development in the capital, along with allegations of misusing political donations.
Ko, who served as mayor from 2014 to 2022 and finished third in the presidential election earlier this year, was arrested in August following a raid at his residence and party headquarters. He is currently detained and has denied any wrongdoing concerning the property case, which pertains to approvals for a shopping center project during his tenure.
The Taiwan People's Party (TPP), which Ko founded, has not provided comments regarding the charges. In addition to Ko, several TPP members face accusations of misusing political donations, including the embezzlement of over T$68 million.
Prosecutors are seeking a total of more than 28 years in prison for Ko, claiming he facilitated illegal benefits for a conglomerate amounting to billions of Taiwan dollars and misappropriated tens of millions in campaign funds. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office made this statement on Thursday.
Despite the ongoing scandals, Ko is expected to run for the presidency again in 2028. However, recent opinion polls indicate a significant decline in support for both him and the TPP, which currently holds eight seats in Taiwan's 113-seat parliament, a notable position given the lack of a majority for either the ruling Democratic Progressive Party or the main opposition, the Kuomintang.