Taipei Court Approves Prosecutors’ Request to Extend Detention of Former Ko Wen-je Aide
A crucial suspect in the ongoing anti-corruption investigation into former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) has had their detention extended by an additional two months. The Taipei District Court approved the prosecution’s request on Tuesday, as the investigation into alleged corruption involving real-estate deals in Taiwan’s capital continues to make waves.
Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗), a former senior aide to Ko, who once managed the mayor’s office, is suspected of being involved in illicit real estate dealings during Ko’s second term as mayor from 2018 to 2022. Lee is at the center of the “Core Pacific City” corruption case, which has implicated several high-ranking officials within Taipei’s political sphere.
Court’s Decision to Continue Investigative Detention
The Taipei District Court agreed with prosecutors from the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, ruling that Lee should remain in custody for an additional 60 days. Prosecutors argued that there is a risk Lee could destroy evidence or collaborate with other suspects if released, and thus his continued detention is necessary to safeguard the investigation.
The ruling follows Lee’s detention since September 28, 2024, under Taiwan’s laws, which permit suspects to be held for up to four months in investigative detention, provided the court agrees.
The Core Pacific City Scandal: A Timeline of Allegations
The “Core Pacific City case” centers around allegations that officials within the Taipei City government were involved in accepting bribes from the chairman of a real estate company tied to the Core Pacific City development. This scandal has had major political ramifications, particularly for Ko, who now leads the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).
Ko, the former Taipei Mayor and current leader of Taiwan’s third-largest political party, has come under heavy scrutiny due to his alleged involvement in the case. The TPP has faced significant internal and external pressure, with Ko’s leadership questioned, especially as he remains in detention by prosecutors.
Other high-profile figures connected to the case include former Deputy Mayor of Taipei, Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲), and Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇), both of whom are also currently in custody.
Political Repercussions for Ko Wen-je and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)
While Ko has maintained his innocence, his extended detention has raised questions about his political future. As the leader of the TPP, Ko’s role within the party has been under scrutiny, especially as the investigation into the scandal drags on.
Despite the controversy, the TPP has not replaced Ko as its chairman, and his party continues to hold significant influence in Taiwan’s Legislature, where neither the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) nor the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) holds an absolute majority.
Table: Core Pacific City Corruption Case – Key Facts
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | Alleged real-estate corruption during Ko Wen-je’s second term (2018–2022) |
| Key Suspect | Lee Wen-tsung, former head of Ko’s office and key figure in the Core Pacific City case |
| Current Detention | Lee has been detained since September 28, 2024, with a court-ordered extension of 60 days |
| Additional Detained Figures | Ko Wen-je, Pong Cheng-sheng (former deputy mayor), Ying Hsiao-wei (current Taipei councilor) |
| Core Pacific City | A real-estate development company allegedly involved in bribing Taipei City officials |
| Political Impact | Scrutiny on Ko Wen-je’s leadership in the Taiwan People’s Party amidst corruption investigation |
FAQs: Core Pacific City Corruption Case
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Core Pacific City corruption case? | The case involves allegations that Taipei City officials, including former Mayor Ko Wen-je’s aides, were bribed by the chairman of a real-estate company linked to Core Pacific City. |
| Why is Lee Wen-tsung in detention? | Lee is suspected of being involved in corrupt real-estate dealings during Ko’s second term as mayor. Prosecutors are concerned he could destroy evidence or collude with others. |
| How long can Lee remain in detention? | Taiwanese law permits suspects to remain in detention for up to four months with court approval. Lee’s detention has been extended by 60 days. |
| Who else is implicated in the case? | Other individuals, including former Taipei Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng and Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei, are also in custody related to the case. |
| What political impact is the case having on Ko Wen-je? | The corruption investigation has raised questions about Ko’s leadership in the Taiwan People’s Party, which continues to have significant influence in Taiwan’s Legislature. |
