17-Year Sentence for TPP's Ko Wen-je Receives Polarized Response
Taiwan People's Party founder Ko Wen-je faces 17 years in prison and disqualification for running in the next presidential election after being found guilty on corruption and embezzlement charges. Reactions are sharply split across Taiwan's polarized political sphere.
Ko Wen-je Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison
REPORTER:
Outside the Taipei District Court, supporters of Taiwan People’s Party Founder Ko Wen-je are angry. He’s just been handed a 17-year prison sentence—after being found guilty of embezzling political donations during a run for president, and taking bribes while Taipei mayor. The decision could not only put him behind bars but also bar him from running in the next presidential election: and while no longer its chair, he’s still the face of his party.
REPORTER:
It’s the latest move in a legal saga that began with his arrest in 2024 and later release on bail. Ko says the charges are false and that he’s a victim of political maneuvering ahead of coming elections. He can still appeal the ruling, and he’s vowed to fight on, even addressing one of his biggest political rivals directly.
Ko Wen-je (FOUNDER, TPP):
Let me tell you, besides one Ko Wen-je
there are tens of thousands of [supporters].
We must stop the judiciary
from continuing to sink and decay
and from becoming a political tool.
This trial is not over.
[President] Lai Ching-te
I will absolutely not surrender.
REPORTER:
The Taiwan People’s Party has just eight seats in the legislature, but these eight seats are key for the opposition bloc, as they give it a narrow majority. The other, bigger opposition party, the Kuomintang, has also weighed in with support for Ko.
Chiang I-chen (SPOKESPERSON, KUOMINTANG):
The KMT expresses great regret.
This ruling not only fails to clarify people’s doubts
it actually deepens the negative view of the judiciary
being turned into a political tool.
REPORTER:
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party has a totally different view. The DPP-led administration says it respects the legal process and doesn’t comment on individual cases. But it rejects the idea that the accusations against Ko are groundless.
Cho Jung-tai (TAIWAN PREMIER):
In this democratic age
no ruling party can manipulate court cases.
We believe the courts are professional
trust their independent judgements
and believe anyone has the chance
to appeal or fight for their rights
through the appropriate legal channels.
REPORTER:
The future of Ko and the party he founded are for now up for speculation—but the impact on politics here could start to become clear as soon as local elections this year. This deeply divisive case—as Ko himself says—isn't over yet. Ko’s party has already announced a protest near the Presidential Office on Sunday—setting the stage for more political conflict.
