TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an was indicted on corruption charges alongside four others by the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office on Monday (Aug. 14). The mayor, who once served as a Taiwan People's Party (TPP) legislator, is accused of embezzling assistant funds.
This development has caught the attention of Ko Wen-je, the TPP Chairman and a presidential candidate, who had previously foreseen the indictment. Ko criticized the investigation process for repeatedly breaching secrecy rules, which allegedly tarnished Kao's image.
Ko maintains that public speculation and criticism are inevitable due to the inherent transparency in the initial trial. Nonetheless, he continues to express his support for Kao, stating that he "supports Kao in strongly defending her innocence."
Ko encourages the public to maintain faith in the legal process despite the allegations. Taiwanese media outlets closely monitor the case's development.