ISSUE 260                                                                             September 5, 2024
Taiwan Weekly
Reliable report and analysis of the most important issues in Taiwan
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Prosecution Searches and Requests Detention of TPP Chairman Ko on Corruption Charges
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The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has called the detention of its Chairman Ko Wen-je political persecution.
(Photo from: United Daily News)
Featured News

TPP Chairman Ko Arrested on Allegedly Taking Bribes

Comprehensive Report by Taiwan Weekly 

 

During his term as Taipei mayor, Chairman Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) was involved in the Living Mall project controversy. On August 31, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office filed a complaint with the court, requesting to detain Mr. Ko, on suspicion of Mr. Ko violating his duties by accepting bribes, intending to profit, and manipulating evidence. The detention of the chairman of the third largest political party has severely affected the current political structure of the DPP’s opposition, which supposedly cooperates to check and balance the DPP. The TPP has framed this as a “political hunt,” seeking to unify its supporters and prevent them from disintegrating.

Featured News
taiwanweekly2019@gmail.com
After Ko's original supporters scatter, what will the Kuomintang (KMT) do to attract them to "vote blue?"
(Photo from: The Storm Media)

Shrinking Non-DPP Territory Poses Challenges to Opposition's Balancing Power

United Daily News, August 31, 2024

 

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) is facing the biggest crisis since its founding ten years ago. On August 30, Chairman Ko Wen-je was subjected to a search and questioning by the prosecutors due to the Living Mall project case. This comes after the scandals related to irregularities in his previous campaign financial reporting, delivering another heavy blow to the party. Many supporters who had hoped for the TPP as an alternative to the Kuomintang (KMT) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) now find themselves disillusioned, with both parties reaching out to these disenchanted voters. Meanwhile, President and DPP Chairman Lai Ching-te has successfully reclaimed the support of young voters through recent anti-corruption actions from prominent figures within and outside his party, many of whom were originally inclined towards the green camp. In contrast, what is the KMT offering to attract these voters to vote for them? Those are not only challenges for the KMT and TPP separately but is also having a negative impact on the opposition’s role in fulfilling checks and balances.

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From: https://vip.udn.com/vip/story/122365/8197357 

Featured Editorial
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Infantry battalion commanders jointly petitioned, lamenting that the current equipment and personnel are inadequate, making it impossible to carry out the base's combat training tasks.

Crisis in Grassroots Combat Effectiveness: Battalion Commanders Complain About Lack of Personnel and Equipment

United Daily News Editorial, August 31, 2024 

 

Four infantry battalion commanders about to deploy have jointly petitioned lawmakers, revealing severe deficiencies in equipment and leadership that hinder their ability to execute training missions. Despite persistent requests for support within the military, their appeals have gone unanswered, leading them to seek assistance from military-affiliated legislators. Although Taiwan’s defense budget is set to reach a historic high of NT$647 billion (about US$20.1 billion) next year, basic necessities like communication devices and gas masks are still lacking, and fundamental equipment checks are failing. Meanwhile, the government plans to invest heavily in building seven submarines, raising concerns about prioritization.

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From: https://udn.com/news/story/7338/8194982

taiwanweekly2019@gmail.com
Cheng Wen-tsan, former vice premier and chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), is being prosecuted for a sentence of 12 years in prison for bribery during his tenure as mayor of Taoyuan.
(Photo from: China Times)

August 26:
The
Kuomintang (KMT) former central headquarters was deemed improperly acquired property by the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee (CIPAS), which demanded a recovery of NT$1.13 billion (about US$35 million) from the sale. The KMT filed an administrative lawsuit and won the first trial. Additionally, the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) was identified as an affiliated organization of the KMT and faced a recovery demand of NT$7.7 billion (about US$239 million), but CIPAS also lost this case. Despite three consecutive losses, CIPAS can still appeal. 

 

The KMT stated that these losses prove that the judicial recovery and frivolous lawsuits brought by CIPAS are politically motivated and lack legitimacy. 

August 26:
President Lai Ching-te, who concurrently serves as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), instructed DPP Secretary-General Lin You-chang to visit the United States on August 31. Lin will meet with American officials and think tanks in Washington to explain key points of U.S.-Taiwan relations and Taiwan's major policies. He will also visit overseas compatriots on both coasts. Lin is the first DPP official to have a public itinerary in the United States since President Lai took office. 

 

Additionally, Financial Times revealed that Secretary-General Joseph Wu of the National Security Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung visited the United States in the middle of August for "special channel" talks with high-level officials. 

August 27:

This year, Taiwan reinstated one-year compulsory military service, with the first batch of conscripts completing their training and being assigned to the Army Infantry Guard Brigade. However, four infantry battalion officers leading these conscripts filed a petition to the Legislative Yuan, stating that the units lack equipment and cannot conduct basic training, alarming the Ministry of National Defense and national security agencies. 

August 27:
According to Reuters, an internal unpublished report from Taiwan reveals that mainland China spent approximately $15 billion on various exercises in the Western Pacific in 2023, equivalent to 7 percent of its total defense budget. The report cited anonymous seniro Taiwanese officials who believe that the mainland Chinese military aims to gain control west of the first island chain. 

August 28:
Cheng Wen-tsan, who formerly served as Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman and vice premier, was accused of accepting bribes during his tenure as mayor of Taoyuan, involving a national and development project. Criticizing him for dishonring his office, the prosecution charged Cheng with bribery and other offenses, seeking a 12-year sentence. Investigators also found multiple undeclared properties owned by Cheng, leading to a separate investigation into unexplained sources of his wealth. The case was referred to the Control Yuan to determine if there were violations of the Political Donations Act. 

 

The court set bail at NT$28 million (about US$870,000) with restrictions on residence and travel for eight months and contact with co-defendants. 

August 28:

Minister of Transportation and Communications Li Meng-yen resigned due to an extra=marital affair, and Spokesman Chen Shi-kai of the Executive Yuan was appointed as his successor. Chen, who lacks a background in transportation, surprised many with the appointment. The Taiwan Railways Union questioned whether this personnel decision indicates President Lai's partial abandonment of transportation reform. Chen belongs to the DPP's New Tide faction and is a key figure in the party's mid-generation. He also served as spokesman for Lai's 2024 presidential campaign. 

August 31:
The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders Meeting concluded, reaffirming Taiwan's participation under the name "Taiwan/ Republic of China." However, mainland Chinese envoy Qian Bo condemned this and demanded a correction. Due to apparent pressure from Beijing, the PIF website removed the original full text of the communiqué on the evening of August 30. When it was re-uploaded on August 31, the text reaffirming Taiwan's participation status was completely removed.

 

September 1:

Chairman Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) is charged with intent to profit by increasing the floor area of the Living Mall project during his tenure as Taipei mayor. After detaining Wei Ching Group Chairman Shen Ching-ching and Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei, prosecutors and investigators searched Ko's residence, office, and TPP central headquarters on August 30 and summoned Ko as a defendant. Although the prosecution requested his detention and isolation from communication, the court ruled to release Ko without bail.

Taiwan Weekly is a newsletter released every week by Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations which provides coverage and perspectives on the latest developments in Taiwan.

The conclusions and recommendations of any Taiwan Weekly article are solely those of its author(s) and do not reflect the views of the institutions that publish the newsletter.


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