Ko faces prosecutors, stays detained in Core Pacific case

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), chairman of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) and former mayor of Taipei, was brought to the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office (台北地檢署) on Tuesday (Sept. 10) for questioning regarding the Core Pacific City redevelopment case.

A prison vehicle arrived at 1:18 p.m., with Ko, handcuffed and dressed in a yellow shirt, shorts, and blue-and-white slippers, entering the building without responding to media questions about alleged bribery.

Prosecutors had questioned Core Pacific Group chairman Sheen Ching-jin (沈慶京) on Monday afternoon and former Taipei deputy mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲) on Tuesday morning. Pong, dressed similarly in a blue jacket, shorts, and blue-and-white slippers, arrived at 9:17 a.m. and was returned to detention around noon.

On Sept. 5, the Taipei District Court (台北地方法院) ordered Ko's detention on significant corruption charges under the Anti-Corruption Act (貪汙治罪條例). Ko, who has now been detained for six days, released a statement through his legal team on Monday, stating his decision not to appeal. He also expressed hope that prosecutors would conclude the investigation within two months.