Ko Wen-je, a prominent figure in Taiwanese politics and former presidential candidate, has been indicted on corruption charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to 28.5 years. The 65-year-old former Taipei mayor is accused of accepting bribes during his time in office.
Ko Wen-je, a former presidential candidate and prominent figure in Taiwanese politics, was indicted on Thursday over corruption allegations.
The 65-year-old stands accused of accepting $500,000 in bribes linked to a real estate deal during his tenure as Taipei mayor and of misreporting campaign finances during his presidential run in January. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to 28.5 years.
The indictment marks a major setback for Ko and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which has appealed to voters seeking an alternative to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT). Prosecutors revealed that Ko is among 11 individuals facing charges, including several TPP members accused of misusing political donations.
Ko, who denies the allegations, was arrested in September and remains in detention. His political allies and supporters have protested the charges, accusing the DPP of weaponizing the legal system to suppress its opponents.
Ko’s political career has been marked by his role as a third-party alternative in a system dominated by the DPP and KMT. In the January presidential election, he garnered over 25% of the vote—a significant showing for a third-party candidate—while the ruling party’s Lai Ching-te won with 40%.
Although Ko finished last among the three main candidates, his performance highlighted growing public demand for alternatives to the two-party system.
Rising to prominence after supporting the 2014 Sunflower Movement protests against Beijing, Ko won the Taipei mayoral election as an independent and secured a second term in 2018. Over time, his policies evolved, and he sought to strengthen Taipei’s ties with mainland China. T
hroughout his career, he has been known for his unconventional rhetoric and unorthodox campaign strategies, earning him a reputation as a “wildcard” in Taiwanese politics.
Despite his loss in the presidential race, Ko had expressed intentions to run again in 2028. However, the wave of prosecutions against him and his party raises questions about whether the TPP can recover and remain a viable political force.
As the legal proceedings continue, the indictment against Ko has sparked a heated debate in Taiwan about the balance between justice and political maneuvering, with potential implications for the nation’s political future.
China condemned a new U.S. tank shipment to Taiwan, warning Washington it is "playing with fire." Beijing told Taipei's leaders that "U.S. weapons cannot save them," calling the move a dangerous provocation that crosses a fundamental "red line."
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
China has strongly criticised French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks linking Ukraine and Taiwan, calling them a “double standard” and insisting the two issues are not comparable.
Taiwan's Computex tech show brought together thousands of international participants on Tuesday, showcasing the highly advanced Artificial Intelligence and robotic systems.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced Monday that it had detected a significant uptick in Chinese military activity around its territory over the past 24 hours, including 21 aircraft, eight naval vessels, and three additional ships.
President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, in Baku, as the two countries look to deepen their strategic economic partnership.
China issued red alerts as extreme monsoon rain trigger flash floods across central and southern regions, threatening lives, and infrastructure.
Germany’s producer prices dropped 1.2% year-on-year in May, in line with market expectations, largely due to falling energy prices, official data showed Friday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 20th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A deadly overnight Russian drone assault on Ukraine’s Black Sea port city of Odesa left one person dead and at least 14 injured, striking residential buildings and key rail infrastructure, according to local authorities.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Russia and Kazakhstan have signed a formal agreement to move forward with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, marking a key step in their energy cooperation.
A nationwide transport strike on Friday disrupted travel across Italy, with major delays and cancellations reported in rail, air, and public transit services.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China issued red alerts as extreme monsoon rain trigger flash floods across central and southern regions, threatening lives, and infrastructure.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 20th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, in Baku, as the two countries look to deepen their strategic economic partnership.
China issued red alerts as extreme monsoon rain trigger flash floods across central and southern regions, threatening lives, and infrastructure.
Germany’s producer prices dropped 1.2% year-on-year in May, in line with market expectations, largely due to falling energy prices, official data showed Friday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 20th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A deadly overnight Russian drone assault on Ukraine’s Black Sea port city of Odesa left one person dead and at least 14 injured, striking residential buildings and key rail infrastructure, according to local authorities.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment