TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei District Prosecutors Office (北檢) on Wednesday (Oct. 16) summoned former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) in the ongoing investigation into the Core Pacific City (京華城) case. Ko arrived at around 9 a.m., appearing with graying hair and heavy eye bags, notably without his usual glasses.
Initially, prosecutors scheduled Ko's hearing for Oct. 1, but he refused to attend. After a two-week delay, they summoned him again this morning.
At the end of August, authorities launched several search and interview operations gaining approval to detain seven individuals, including Ko, former Taipei Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲), Core Pacific Group Chairman Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), Taipei City Councilor Angela Ying (應曉薇), Ying's assistant Wu Shun-minn (吳順民), former Dingyue Development Corp (鼎越開發) President Chu Yea-hu (朱亞虎), and former Mayoral Office Director Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗).
The investigation focuses on solidifying the decision-making process regarding Core Pacific City's floor area ratio and scrutinizing financial flows connected to Ko, his family, Sheen, and Ying. Prosecutors have been intensively questioning detained suspects and summoning co-defendants and witnesses for clarification. At the same time, they are examining financial transactions involving public relations firm Muko (木可公關公司) and Ko's Foundation.