TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's main opposition party demanded an investigation Friday (March 13) into Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) over allegations he received preferential treatment on a chartered flight to Japan on March 7 to watch the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) raised concerns about cost-effectiveness and transparency of the travel arrangements, questioning whether public resources were misused.
Cho released receipts Friday (March 13) showing ticket costs, bus fares, and a charter flight with China Airlines (中華航空) totaled approximately NT$2.14 million (around US$67,060). KMT legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) criticized the price, calling it not just a discount but a "bone-crushing" one, and suggested Cho received a special deal.
KMT caucus whip Lin Pei-Hsiang (林沛祥) questioned the charter flight's cost, noting it was significantly lower than market rates, and demanded the Executive Yuan explain the price negotiation process. Lin urged oversight and judicial bodies to investigate potential misuse of public resources. The opposition legislator called for full transparency regarding how the premier secured the below-market rate for the chartered aircraft.
Hsu revealed that the day before Cho's departure, the Executive Yuan held a confidential meeting at Songshan Airport (松指部) to arrange tarmac access and VIP lounge use for Cho's travel. Cho stated the bus fare was 200,000 yen, approximately NT$40,000 (around US$1,253), with match tickets costing NT$18,500 (around US$580). The premier signed the charter flight agreement on March 6.