The wife of Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) took to social media yesterday to disclose the couple’s combined annual income dating back to 2015. This public disclosure comes as a direct response to serious bribery allegations levied against Ko, who has been in detention since early September, raising eyebrows and concerns about the integrity of Taiwan’s political landscape.
Retired pediatrician Peggy Chen (陳佩琪) shared details on Facebook regarding their financial records, which were meticulously compiled from their income tax filings over the years. Just a day prior, she had revealed that she underwent questioning by prosecutors, indicating the escalating legal scrutiny surrounding their financial dealings.
Chen listed their annual income, which predominantly fluctuated between NT$6 million to NT$8 million (approximately US$186,829 to US$249,105) over the years. Notably, the income peaked in 2022 at NT$9,097,749, while last year saw a decline to NT$5,423,236, further raising questions about the couple’s financial stability amidst ongoing investigations.
Ko served two terms as Taipei mayor, a position he held from December 25, 2014, until he transitioned into his current political role. The physician-turned-politician established the TPP in 2019 and made headlines for his unsuccessful bid for the presidency in January, highlighting his controversial and ambitious political journey.
He was detained on September 5 and has since been held incommunicado as prosecutors delve into allegations of corruption linked to the redevelopment of the Core Pacific City (京華城購物中心) project, a significant urban undertaking in Taipei that has attracted considerable public interest.
On November 1, the Taipei District Court sanctioned the prosecutors’ request to extend Ko’s detention period by an additional two months, illustrating the seriousness of the investigation and the complexity of the case against him. Chen, in her social media post, not only included a wedding photograph and a document believed to outline Ko’s expenditures during his tenure as mayor, but also recounted her own remarks made during last week’s questioning.
“Describing him [Ko] as a bribe-taking corrupt criminal, who would pocket any money he could, is basically to shame him, to destroy him,” Chen expressed passionately, contesting the narrative being constructed against her husband.
It marked the second occasion on which Chen was questioned by prosecutors, who are deeply probing into allegations claiming Ko used his position for unlawful financial gain linked to the Core Pacific Group (威京集團) during his tenure as mayor from 2018 to 2022.
Ko and Chen had previously been interrogated by the Agency Against Corruption on August 30, following a raid that day at their residence and Ko’s offices, reflecting the breadth of the authorities’ investigation. The probe also involved former deputy mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲), who was similarly questioned and subsequently detained, underlining the potential reach of corruption within Taipei’s political structure.
A few days prior to their questioning, several high-profile figures were detained, including Core Pacific Group chairman Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京) and Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇), all facing scrutiny for their purported roles in this unfolding corruption scandal.
Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times
**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Mei-Ling Chen on the Ko Wen-je Bribery Allegations**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mei-Ling Chen. The recent revelations about Ko Wen-je’s financial disclosures amid ongoing bribery allegations have raised a lot of questions. What are your initial thoughts on Peggy Chen’s decision to publicly disclose their financial details?
**Dr. Chen:** Thank you for having me. I think Peggy Chen’s public disclosure is a strategic move. It addresses transparency, especially when facing serious allegations that could tarnish their reputation. By sharing their income records, she aims to counter the narrative of corruption by demonstrating that they have not amassed wealth through illicit means.
**Editor:** Indeed, the timing is quite critical. Given that the couple’s income fluctuated over the years and peaked in 2022, how do you interpret these financial trends in the context of the ongoing investigations?
**Dr. Chen:** The fluctuations in their income, particularly the decline in 2023, are telling. It could suggest that the scrutiny and legal challenges have impacted their financial stability. However, the peak last year could also raise questions about what factors contributed to that income spike. The ongoing investigations into the redevelopment of the Core Pacific City project could be related to both the fluctuations and their financial dealings during that time.
**Editor:** Ko Wen-je’s political career has been quite polarizing. How might these allegations impact the Taiwan People’s Party and his political aspirations moving forward?
**Dr. Chen:** The TPP, and Ko himself, are currently at a crossroads. These allegations can significantly damage the party’s credibility, especially if the investigations reveal any wrongdoing. Given Ko’s previous aspirations for the presidency, ongoing legal issues could cripple his political ambitions and undermine the party’s support base. Public sentiment often sways in response to such controversies, and it remains to be seen how TPP will navigate this.
**Editor:** Lastly, Dr. Chen, what does this situation say about the current state of integrity in Taiwan’s political landscape?
**Dr. Chen:** This incident is a reminder of the challenges that Taiwan’s political system faces regarding transparency and accountability. While Taiwan is relatively democratic, allegations of corruption undermine public trust in political figures. This situation may lead to heightened scrutiny of politicians’ financial dealings and may even provoke calls for stronger regulations to curb corruption, ensuring a more transparent political environment.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Chen, for your insights on this unfolding situation. It will be interesting to see how this story develops in the coming weeks.
**Dr. Chen:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to the developments as well.
