TAIPEI – Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je was sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Taipei District Court on Tuesday, following a conviction on charges including corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and breach of trust. The court stated Ko demonstrated a lack of remorse and significantly burdened the judicial system with his denials throughout the proceedings. The case centers around allegations of impropriety related to the Taipei Twin City project, political donations, and the handling of funds by the Hopeful Alliance Foundation.
The court found Ko guilty of accepting a bribe of NT$2.1 million (approximately $65 USD as of March 26, 2026) from Wei-Ching Group Chairman Shen Ching-jen between March 24 and 26, 2019, in exchange for granting the company a 20% increase in building density for the Taipei Twin City development. He was also convicted of misappropriating NT$6 million from the Taiwan People’s Party’s political donations, and of colluding with former Taipei City Hall Chief Secretary Lee Wen-chung and former Wood-Good Public Relations Chairman Lee Wen-juan to embezzle NT$61.34679 million from a political donation account earmarked for President and Vice President Ko Wen-je and Wu Hsin-ying. He was found guilty of diverting NT$8.271095 million from the Hopeful Alliance Foundation to cover salaries for his campaign staff.
Bribery and Zoning Decisions at the Heart of the Case
The court’s ruling detailed how Ko, even as serving as mayor from December 25, 2014, to December 24, 2022, knowingly violated regulations regarding the granting of benefits to citizens. The court emphasized that such decisions, particularly those impacting public interests, require strict adherence to legal frameworks. The practice of granting increased building density, the court argued, externalizes social costs – such as environmental pollution, traffic congestion, and strain on infrastructure – onto the broader public.
Prosecutors argued that Ko accepted the bribe to secure support from the Wei-Ching Group, a powerful conglomerate. The court agreed, stating that Ko sought the financial backing of a well-resourced entity and, in doing so, allowed the company to gain an unfair advantage, resulting in an estimated illicit benefit exceeding NT$100 billion. The court noted that the increase in building density was granted without a legal basis.
Misappropriation of Political and Foundation Funds
Beyond the bribery charges, the court focused on Ko’s handling of political and foundation funds. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting Ko diverted donations intended for the Taiwan People’s Party and the Hopeful Alliance Foundation for personal employ and to fund his election campaigns. Specifically, the court found that Ko improperly used NT$6 million in party donations and over NT$61 million from the political donation account, as well as NT$8.27 million from the Hopeful Alliance Foundation.
The court highlighted that as chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party, Ko was aware of the intended purpose and public benefit of political donations. His actions, the court stated, were a serious breach of trust.
Evidence and the Court’s Reasoning
While Ko consistently denied all charges, the court cited evidence, including a handwritten note recovered during a search of his office, in which he appeared to acknowledge a connection between “Jinghua” (a reference to the Wei-Ching Group) and travel plans. The note read “Jinghua→orange出國” (Jinghua→orange going abroad). The court also noted the swift booking of a flight to Japan by Ko’s secretary, Hsu Chih-yu, shortly after returning from a trip on August 27, 2025, as potentially relevant. Central News Agency reported on these details included in the court’s statement.
The court dismissed a portion of the bribery allegations – specifically, claims of NT$15 million in bribes – due to a lack of corroborating evidence beyond a self-incriminating statement Ko made in a document submitted to the court. The court stated that the statement alone was insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Appeal Expected and Next Steps
Ko Wen-je has the right to appeal the verdict. His legal team has indicated they intend to do so. The Taipei District Court’s decision is subject to review by a higher court, which will assess the evidence and legal arguments presented. The next step in the legal process will be the filing of an appeal brief, followed by a hearing before the High Court. A timeline for these proceedings has not yet been established.
This case has significant implications for Taiwan’s political landscape, particularly given Ko Wen-je’s prominence as a potential presidential candidate. The conviction raises questions about his future political viability and the integrity of the political donation system in Taiwan. Further updates will be provided as the case progresses through the appeals process.
If you are affected by this news and are experiencing distress, resources are available. You can contact the Taiwan Lifeline International hotline at 1995 or visit their website at https://www.tlil.org.tw/en for support.
The outcome of Ko Wen-je’s appeal will be closely watched, and further developments will be reported as they turn into available. Readers are encouraged to share this information and engage in respectful discussion about the implications of this case.
