TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) explained on Wednesday (Sept. 25) that the exorbitant electricity bill exceeding NT$1 million at his official residence was due to it likely including the use of the nearby military camp.
He emphasized that, from his understanding, a military police artillery barracks was near the residence and that the residence was part of the barracks.
Koo clarified that he has not lived in the residence since taking office.
He pointed out that the official residence, "Mei Manor" (梅莊), is located on Section 5, Zhongshan North Road, near the Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence. He added that a tunnel connects "Mei Manor" to the Hengshan Military Command Center and other critical facilities at the southern foot of Yuanshan.
Koo clarified that he has not moved into "Mei Manor" and stated that he has no plans to relocate just for the ministerial position, despite being in office for over four months.
In 2019, the Control Yuan revealed that Koo and his wife spent NT$138 million in 2013 to purchase a penthouse in the "Lan Tien Sheng Yu" building (藍田陞玉) on Wenlin North Road in Beitou District.