Taiwan People's Party Press Release 2026.3.29

Defending Innocence and Fighting to the End

Ko Wen-je Furiously Confronts Lai Ching-te at the Presidential Office: "Lai Ching-te, I will absolutely not surrender, I will never yield!"

The Law is Manipulated to Target Individuals, with Double Standards for the Blue and Green Camps

Ko Wen-je Challenges the Legislature to Abolish Article 24 of the Urban Planning Act

The DPP Repeatedly Denies Involvement in the Ko Case

KC Huang Challenges Lai Ching-te to a Public Debate

 

 

Take to Ketagalan Boulevard! Demand Justice! When Taiwan's "judiciary" is no longer fair and just, but reduced to a tool of those in power, we must stand out here and now to fight for Taiwan's democracy, human rights, and judicial reform. Today (29th), the Taiwan People's Party summoned the public to stand on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office, to fight to the end for judicial justice, to fight to the end for Taiwan's democracy, and to fight to the end against Green authoritarianism. A total of 80,000 people flooded the site on Ketagalan Boulevard, while the number of viewers tuning into the live broadcast via the Taiwan People's Party's "Voice of the People" online channel surpassed 100,000 at its peak.

 

 

Taiwan People's Party Founding Chairman Ko Wen-je, accompanied by Dr. Chen Pei-chi and Dr. Ko Mei-lan, arrived at the venue together. Following his speech, Ko Wen-je ascended the "Judicial Justice Open-Air Stage" positioned in front of Jingfu Gate, shouted toward the Presidential Office, "Lai Ching-te, I will absolutely not surrender, I will never yield!" and led his supporters in chanting, "Fight to the end." Ko Wen-je pointedly stated that "the Taipei District Court's rationale for a guilty verdict is simply too far-fetched," asserting that in the wake of this case, public trust in Taiwan's judiciary will only plummet further, and civil servants will no longer feel secure in administering their duties according to the law. Ko Wen-je furiously suggested that "the Legislative Yuan might as well directly repeal Article 24 of the Urban Planning Act," condemning the complete distortion of legal consistency, which has now become the basis for selective prosecution and been weaponized as a legal trap.

 

 

Addressing external concerns regarding his political future, Ko Wen-je stated that at 67 years old, he is now far more concerned with the future of Taiwan and the Taiwan People's Party. In this arduous moment, as the DPP attempts to use his case to obliterate the development of Taiwan's new politics, Ko Wen-je called upon the entire nation to "join the Taiwan People's Party, become party members, and work together to provide a glimmer of hope for Taiwan's future."

Ko Wen-je recalled that during his detention, a co-defendant sharing his cell was a fraud "money mule" who had gone astray due to severe poverty. Arriving in Taiwan alone, penniless, and without any relatives, this individual "could not even afford a bar of soap or a packet of instant noodles," and lacked the means to pay the NT$170 registration fee for a medical consultation at the detention center clinic, effectively rendering him a ticking time bomb for society. Yet, amid exacerbating wealth disparity, Ko noted, the DPP is left with nothing but political infighting, plunging society into division and antagonism. Ko Wen-je pointedly criticized the current state of affairs wherein the Executive Yuan can simply refuse to countersign, promulgate, or execute laws passed by the Legislative Yuan through a third reading, remarking, "We might as well abolish the Legislative Yuan altogether." Ko Wen-je reiterated that democracy exists to aggregate the wisdom of the majority, not to consolidate the rule of the minority.

 

 

Referencing the "New Taiwanese" discourse proposed by the late former President Lee Teng-hui, Ko Wen-je emphasized that regardless of where one comes from, what ethnic group one belongs to, or what one's historical background may be, as long as one lives here and identifies with this land of Taiwan, one is Taiwanese. He fiercely criticized the reality that, in stark contrast, "today, there are those who loudly proclaim the unity of Taiwan, yet are actively dividing Taiwan," utilizing historical demarcations and ideological stances to segregate the people, and mobilizing through hatred solely to maintain their own political interests. Ko Wen-je urged his supporters not to lose faith, noting that there remain many difficulties and pressures ahead, and perhaps even various forms of persecution awaiting them. However, Taiwan must move forward. He implored everyone not to give up, but to hold their posts, live earnestly, and work diligently. Ko Wen-je stated that no matter what position he holds in the future, he will strive alongside the Taiwan People's Party and all kind-hearted Taiwanese people to bring Taiwan back on track as soon as possible.

 

Chairman KC Huang stated that in response to the DPP's repeated rhetoric questioning, "What evidence is there that Ko Wen-je's indictment and sentencing have anything to do with the DPP?", he would raise his voice to "issue a debate challenge to President Lai Ching-te." He welcomed Lai Ching-te to step forward bravely for a public debate, promising that the event would force the DPP and Lai Ching-te to clearly reflect on and confront their errors, and ensure all Taiwanese people understand that the judiciary must never be utilized as a political tool.

 

 

KC Huang emphasized that the future mission of the Taiwan People's Party is not merely to accompany the "eternal party chairman" Ko Wen-je in defending his innocence, but to reclaim the fairness and justice that rightfully belong to the people. Regarding Premier Cho Jung-tai's recent assertion that "those who challenge the judiciary are unfit to be the ruling party," KC Huang furiously retorted that "those who manipulate the judiciary are the ones who should step down." KC Huang grew emotional, choking back tears as he stated that Ko Wen-je had become a victim of the judicial system. Expressing profound guilt, he noted that he had never endured such immense torment, attributing it to the fact that "we have not worked hard enough, we have not done enough, and we have not acted fast enough," thereby allowing Taiwan's judiciary to continue harming Taiwan and the people we hold dear. KC Huang emphasized that he will fight even harder in the future, doing a little more each day so that Taiwan can progress a little further; no one will ever again be subjected to cyberbullying simply for supporting Ko Wen-je. KC Hua pledged that the Taiwan People's Party will return Taiwan to its people, calling on the entire nation to use their votes in 2028 to take down Lai Ching-te and oust the DPP.

 

 

Members of the Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus attended jointly to show solidarity with Ko Wen-je. Legislator Niu Hsu-ting, who also serves as a KMT spokesperson, attended on behalf of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, stating that fairness and justice will elevate the nation. He affirmed that the two parties will maintain close cooperation, will not add insult to injury against Ko Wen-je and the Taiwan People's Party, and declared that President Lai Ching-te's attempt to annihilate opposition parties via judicial means is an ongoing reality, and the opposition camp must absolutely not allow this conspiracy to succeed.

 

Taiwan People's Party Secretary-General Vincent Chou led the 2026 TPP public office candidates onto the stage, solemnly stating that "even in the face of immense hardship, we must bravely stand out." Chiayi mayoral candidate Chang Chi-kai systematically listed the court's absurd rationales for the verdict, fiercely criticizing the resurgence of Green terror under DPP rule. Yilan County Magistrate candidate Chen Wan-hui was overcome with emotion, shedding tears at the scene as she implored supporters to hold their ground, declaring that the Taiwan People's Party will absolutely not be marginalized into a political bubble. Keelung Deputy Mayor Chiu Pei-lin urged supporters to never give up and to support Ko Wen-je forever.

 

 

Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an and Deputy Mayor Chiu Chen-yuan attended together to express their support. Deputy Mayor Chiu Chen-yuan noted that since its founding, the Taiwan People's Party has faced "crises year after year," but no matter how the DPP attempts to suppress them, they will resolutely hold their ground together and strive to achieve a transition of political power in 2028. Newly appointed Miaoli County Deputy Magistrate Lai Hsiang-ling stated that the "Little Grass" who stepped forward today to resist Green authoritarianism will transform into "Steel Little Grass," using their unwavering conviction to show the DPP that "they are the true impurities."

 

TPP Legislative Caucus Leader Chen Ching-lung satirized the Taipei District Court's verdict document, which allegedly framed "a smile as evidence of accepting a bribe." He questioned whether, if this were true, elected representatives like himself should force constituents seeking assistance to "walk out with an ugly look on their faces? Are we not allowed to smile?" He furiously criticized the judicial ruling as utterly preposterous.

 

Former Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) Chairman Chao Shao-kang appeared to show support, fiercely criticizing the court's verdict. He noted that there was "neither upfront payment nor backend reward" documented, exposing it as a fundamentally selective prosecution. He pointed out that if Ko Wen-je were to be sentenced to 17 years for this, "many DPP county magistrates and city mayors would have to be sentenced to 170 years." Chao Shao-kang explicitly stated that the penalty violates the principle of proportionality and entirely contradicts the principles of a nation governed by the rule of law, calling on the opposition camp to set aside past grievances and unite to confront the DPP in 2026.

 

Internet personality Holger Chen (Chen Chih-han, Kuan Chang) stated that at this very moment, "good people should not be shivering and shedding tears, nor should we allow bad people to vigorously mock us." He called on supporters to remain steadfast in their positions and return a bright future to Taiwan.