Former mayor Ko Wen-je faces jail on corruption charges

Ko Wen-je, a former prominent figure in Taiwan politics and an opponent of the president, was indicted on Thursday on corruption charges.

The 65-year-old is accused of accepting half a million in bribes for real estate deals during his time as mayor of Taipei, as well as misrepresenting campaign finances during his bid for president in January.

Prosecutors want 28.5 years in prison.

Ko’s case has deeply affected the political movement he represents, which has affected many who are looking for an alternative to the ruling Democratic People’s Party and the main opposition Kuomintang.

Ko, who pleaded guilty to fraud, was arrested in September and remanded in custody.

Prosecutors said Thursday that he was among the 11 people facing charges. Several other members of his Taiwan People’s Party have also been accused of misusing political donations.

A dark horse in the January presidential electionKo won more than 25% of the vote – just behind Lai Ching-te’s 40%.

Observers said at the time that even though Ko finished last among three presidential candidates, his big showing showed that voters wanted more politics than the two parties.

Ko rose to fame by calling himself the third choice over the two big teams. He criticized the DPP for creating conflicts with Beijing, which considers the self-governing island part of its territory, and criticized the KMT for being careless.

After supporting protesters during the Beijing Sunflower Movement in 2014, Ko was elected mayor of Taipei as an independent.

He won a second term in 2018, but his politics appeared to be changing and he deepened Taipei’s relationship with China.

He was already recognized as a revolutionary in Taiwanese politicsKo defied controversy with his sarcastic rhetoric and campaign sentiments. He has been described as a “gaffe machine” and starred in a rap video in his bid for re-election in 2018.

After his defeat in the presidential election, he vowed not to give up his political career and hoped to run for president again in 2028. But it remains to be seen whether his party can recover from the impeachment charges.

Ko’s arrest led to protests by his friends and supporters who are accusing the DPP of using the cases to suppress the opposition.