TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) announced on Friday (March 27) that the party will not initiate any disciplinary action against former chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), rejecting calls for his expulsion. Ko was sentenced to 17 years in prison a day earlier by the Taiwan Taipei District Court (台灣台北地方法院) for involvement in the Core Pacific City (京華城) real estate development and political donation scandal.
The Taiwan Statebuilding Party (台灣基進黨) urged the Taiwan People's Party on Friday to suspend or expel Ko in accordance with disciplinary guidelines. Huang dismissed the calls, stating, "This stems from the political witch hunt and persecution of Chairman Ko Wen-je by the DPP administration. There is certainly no question of leaving the party or of breaching party discipline." The court also stripped Ko of his civil rights for six years, though he can appeal the verdict.
Huang accused the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), Taiwan's ruling party, of politically persecuting Ko. The TPP announced it will hold a mass protest on Sunday, with Huang stating the party secured necessary permits on Thursday night. Huang announced, "We invite all Taiwanese citizens fed up with the abuse of judicial systems by the Lai Ching-te (賴清德) administration to stand up with us."
Ko held an international press conference on Thursday (March 26), labeling the trial a "judicial show put on for political gain" and directly criticizing President Lai Ching-te. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) emphasized the independence and professionalism of Taiwan's judiciary, stating no ruling party can manipulate legal cases. Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳) affirmed respect for future court rulings, referencing election laws that bar those convicted of corruption from presidential candidacy. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.96 and 1 euro equals around NT$36.84)