Former Taipei City Mayor and People First Party Chairman Ko Wen-je was ruled by the Taipei District Court on the afternoon of September 5 to be detained and denied visitation rights in relation to the “Jinghua City case”, and later in the evening was taken in handcuffs to the Tucheng Detention Center. Originally scheduled to perform in the musical “Garbage Dump”, Ko Wen-je’s absence led to an urgent announcement of ticket refunds by the theatrical troupe “National Great Theatre” to which the play belongs.
Ko Wen-je had previously been set to participate in the musical “Garbage Dump” under the National Great Theatre, owned by artist Xie Nianzu. The cast of the play includes actors Lai Pei-xia, Xia Yu-tong, Ni Andong, Lu Shao-qi, Wang Jing-guan, Lai Ying-ying (La Zi), and Pan Wei-fan, with Ko Wen-je in a special role.
As news of Ko Wen-je’s detention spread, the National Great Theatre posted a notice on Facebook on the evening of the 5th, stating, “Special guest performer Ko Wen-je in ‘Garbage Dump’ is unable to participate in the Taichung show for unforeseen reasons.” The announcement further added, “For audience members who purchased tickets due to Ko Wen-je, full refunds are immediately available, and we appreciate your continued support for our production.” The official website of the play shows that the Taichung performance of “Garbage Dump” was originally scheduled for September 14th and 15th at the Zhongshan Hall in Taichung City.
The musical “Garbage Dump” by the National Great Theatre was touring throughout Taiwan, with Ko Wen-je invited for a special collaboration. However, his detention prohibits him from fulfilling his upcoming performances, leaving some of his supporters disappointed.
The episode leading to Ko Wen-je’s detention stems from the volumetric rate of the Jinghua City development project in Taipei. During Ko Wen-je’s 8-year tenure as mayor, the volumetric rate escalated from 392% to 560%, and ultimately to 840%. This increase raised suspicions of favoritism towards the Wei Jing Group, granting the Jinghua City project its highest ever volumetric rate. Wei Jing Group Chairman Shen Qing-jing is implicated in bribing Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei with NT$47.4 million, prompting Ying Hsiao-wei to lobby and exert pressure on city officials on behalf of the Jinghua City volumetric rate issue. Both Shen Qing-jing and Ying Hsiao-wei were detained and denied communication on charges of corruption.
The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office initiated an investigation into the Jinghua City case, conducting searches and summons on August 30th. Prosecutors have accused Ko Wen-je and former Taipei City Deputy Mayor Perng Chen-sheng of corruption, abuse of power, and bribery under the Anti-Corruption Act, leading to their detention. The Taipei Court ruled on the 2nd that Ko Wen-je was released on his own recognizance without the need to post bail, a decision appealed by the prosecution. On the 4th, the High Court overturned the original ruling and sent the case back to the Taipei Court for further decision-making.
In a subsequent hearing on the 5th, the Taipei Court ordered for the second time that Ko Wen-je be detained around 5:15 pm, citing the serious suspicion of criminal bribery under the Anti-Corruption Act, and the imminent risk of evidence destruction, conspiracy with accomplices, or intimidation of witnesses. The court deemed the detention necessary, placing Ko Wen-je in the Taipei Detention Center and prohibiting visitations and communication.
The Correctional Bureau of the Ministry of Justice stated that following Ko Wen-je’s admission to the detention center, standard security checks and health assessments were carried out, with arrangements for individual cells distinct from those of fellow detainees in the same case.
As for how the absence of Ko Wen-je from the musical “Garbage Dump” will be addressed, National Great Theatre director Xie Nianzu responded to the media saying, “He was a special guest, so it won’t impact the production.”