TAOYUAN (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je paid a visit to Nankan Wufu Temple and the Young Sheng Guan Shengdijun Charity Association in Taoyuan on Saturday morning (June 17).
During his visit, besides offering prayers and posing for photographs with supporters, Ko and the Taoyuan TPP Headquarters members enjoyed various performances together. They engaged in discussions with the temple's manager.
Ko refrained from responding to reporters' inquiries about the 2024 election race and chose not to engage with the media.
Visiting temples is a customary practice among Taiwanese politicians to connect with the people. Before elections, numerous candidates embark on tours across Taiwan, interacting with potential voters and local factions to garner additional votes and support.
In fact, during her re-election bid, President Tsai Ing-wen earned the nickname "Temple President" after making 137 temple visits from May to November 2019.
The prevalence of "temple politics" runs deep in Taiwanese society. Whether aspiring for the position of village chief, councilor, mayor, legislator, or president, visiting temples is an inevitable aspect of the political landscape.