Head of Taiwan’s third political party Ko Wen-je set to resign over corruption inquiry

The leader of the Taiwan People’s Party, who made clean governance a key part of his appeal to voters, is accused of taking bribes

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Ko Wen-je is accused of taking bribes during his time as mayor of Taipei. Photo: CNA

Lawrence Chungin Taipei

Published: 8:00pm, 23 Dec 2024Updated: 8:27pm, 23 Dec 2024

The leader of the party that holds the balance of power in Taiwan’s legislature is set to step down.

Ko Wen-je was one of the candidates for the island’s top job in January’s election but has since been arrested on corruption charges, throwing the future of the Taiwan People’s Party – which he founded in 2019 on promises of clean governance – into question.

Ko has been held incommunicado for over 100 days without being formally charged. He is accused of accepting bribes during his time as Taipei mayor between 2014 and 2022.

On Friday, a district court in Taipei said it had approved Ko’s request to send a resignation letter to the party, adding that this would not prejudice his case.

However, TPP officials said they had yet to receive Ko’s resignation letter and criticised the court for overstepping its authority by suggesting the resignation would take effect automatically upon submission.

“So far, we have not received any resignation letter from Chairman Ko,” TPP secretary general Vincent Chou said on Monday. “Even if we do, we will make every effort to persuade him to stay.”