YUNLIN (TVBS News) — Taiwan's #MeToo movement continues to gain momentum within the realm of politics as Yunlin County Councilor Chen Fang-ying bravely stepped forward to disclose her experience of harassment by a prominent media personality. The recent events have taken a toll on Chen, who reportedly fell ill and was rushed to the emergency room on Monday night, bearing visible signs of fatigue on her face.
Initially, Chen chose to withhold the full name of her assailant, only revealing the surname "Chu." However, it took only a short time for the identity of the media personality to be unveiled as Chu Kai-hsiang. On June 12, Chu apologized to Chen, expressing uncertainty regarding the incident's specific details.
Disappointed by Chu's response, Chen resorted to Facebook as a platform to expose the extent of Chu's harassment. In her article, she accused Chu of publicly soliciting sexual relations with her at a KTV establishment on Jan. 11, 2022. "I'm not the first, and certainly not the only one who has fallen victim to Chu's sexual harassment," lamented Chen.
Ironically, Chu had previously criticized Lucifer Chu, another media personality accused of forcibly hugging and kissing Taipei City Councilor Chung Pei-chun. Chen expressed incredulity at Chu Kai-hsiang's audacity in criticizing Lucifer Chu, deeming it shamelessly hypocritical.
When confronted with the allegations, Chu Kai-hsiang claimed uncertainty regarding the exact nature of the discomfort inflicted upon Chen but expressed willingness to engage in self-reflection and cooperate with any potential judicial investigation.
In addition to media figures like Chu Kai-hsiang and Lucifer Chu, the academic and cultural spheres also grapple with a wave of allegations involving sexual harassment. Noteworthy individuals such as renowned sociologist and critic Albert Tzeng and acclaimed author Chen Fang-ming have found themselves facing similar accusations.