TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a surprising turn of events, Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih unexpectedly disclosed a private message from Ko Wen-je at Thursday's election talk, suggesting that independent candidate Terry Gou needed a "reason to quit" the race.
The press conference, featuring Gou, Hou, Taiwan People's Party candidate Ko, former president Ma Ying-jeou, and KMT chairman Eric Chu, has been deemed a quintessential pre-election moment.
Speaking at the at the Grand Hyatt Taipei, Hou read Ko's message aloud, revealing Ko's view that Gou sought an excuse to withdraw. Ko aimed to demonstrate unity among the three parties for Taiwan's future, Hou explained.
He added that Ko's plan was to give Gou a dignified way out by offering him a role in facilitating the KMT-TPP alliance. Gou, caught off-guard by this revelation, was unaware of such discussions.
Wu Tzu-chia, president of Formosa Online, reflected on the situation during EBC News' "Critical Time" program. He highlighted Gou's initial intent to unify the opposition and his subsequent need for a graceful exit.
The incident took another twist when Ko, reacting to the leak, criticized Hou, thereby revealing his own duplicity. This incident adds complexity to an already charged election landscape.