TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 台灣民眾黨) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) briefly left the Taipei Detention Center (台北看守所) to attend his father Ko Cheng-fa's (柯承發) funeral in Hsinchu (新竹) on Monday (March 10). He spent about an hour at the ceremony before returning to detention under a limited permission period.
Ko's family, including his sister Ko Mei-lan (柯美蘭) and son Ko Fu-yao (柯傅堯), were present. His father's widow, Ho Jui-ying (何瑞英), departed early due to traditional customs. Ko's wife, Chen Pei-chi (陳佩琪), expressed criticism of the judicial system, citing what she termed judicial persecution against human rights.
Prominent political figures, including former Presidents Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), sent floral tributes and attended the ceremony. They sat together in the front row, appearing solemn, but did not grant interviews or converse during the service.
Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) led a delegation from the Kuomintang and TPP caucuses, along with the Chief Secretary from the Legislative Yuan, to pay their respects, staying until the funeral concluded.
The Presidential Office initially planned to send representatives, but the Ko family declined. Ko Mei-lan confirmed the rejection of President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) floral tribute, although he called to express condolences.
Ko Wen-je was escorted by eight Agency of Corrections (矯正署) officers to attend the funeral, highlighting the strict conditions of his temporary release.