TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former opposition party leader Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) returned to court Tuesday (Sept. 9) just one day after securing his release on bail from corruption charges. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office (台北地方檢察署) summoned the former Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) chairman for proceedings that marked his first public appearance since gaining freedom. The high-profile case has captivated public attention throughout Taiwan's political landscape.
The court simultaneously summoned multiple key witnesses including former urban planning committee member Hsu Kuo-cheng (徐國城) for questioning. Ko arrived at the courthouse around 9:25 a.m., acknowledging waiting media with waves and expressions of gratitude while declining to answer reporters' questions. Prosecutors also called former Urban Development Bureau Director Huang Ching-mao (黃景茂) and Core Pacific Group Chairman Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京) to provide testimony.
Ko launched sharp criticism against prosecutors Monday (Sept. 8), accusing them of systematically undermining public confidence in Taiwan's judicial system. He challenged President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to carefully consider why his administration was allowing the island democracy to deteriorate. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office swiftly rejected Ko's accusations, dismissing all his statements as completely unfounded and without merit. ◼