Taiwan Court Releases Former Mayor Ko Wen-je

The Taiwan High Court has revoked the decision to release former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je without bail, sending the case back to a lower court for further review regarding his potential detention in the Core Pacific City corruption case. Initially released on September 2 due to insufficient evidence, prosecutors argued for his re-detention based on new evidence. Ko, who served as mayor from 2014 to 2022, is under investigation for alleged bribery linked to unauthorized increases in the project's floor area ratio. Meanwhile, former Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng has been detained amid similar allegations, with his lawyer expressing concerns about his health during custody. The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office plans to appeal the initial ruling that favored Ko, asserting that significant suspicion remains regarding his involvement in the alleged corruption. The developments have sparked further scrutiny of the Taiwan People’s Party, of which Ko is a member, as he navigates legal and political challenges ahead of future elections.