TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Agency Against Corruption on Tuesday addressed accusations of improper interrogation made by Core Pacific City graft case witness Hu Fang-chiung (胡方瓊).

Hu, a former Taipei Urban Planning Commission specialist, claimed during court proceedings that she was not given sufficient time to review her interrogation transcript, per CNA. She alleged that prosecutors questioned her immediately after anti-corruption officials and that the transcript failed to accurately reflect her statements.

In response, the agency maintained that it adhered to all relevant procedures during the July 15, 2024, interrogation. It stated that Hu did not express any discomfort or fatigue and confirmed that she was allowed to review the transcript from 3:38 p.m. to 4:16 p.m., making corrections and adjustments as needed.

Hu argued that her word choices were imprecise during the interrogation and said she was pressured to complete her transcript review without adequate time, per UDN. She also commented on former Urban Planning Commission Executive Secretary Shao Hsiu-pei (邵琇珮), saying Shao "does not appear to be the type who would violate the law."

Hu alleged that prosecutors misrepresented her reading of a colleague’s message as an accusation against Shao, per Liberty Times. She further claimed that remarks she made about co-defendant and KMT Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇) were made emotionally and that she regretted posting comments on social media.

She also defended Taipei’s Department of Urban Development and Urban Planning Commission, asserting that they committed no wrongdoing in connection with the Core Pacific City case, per Newtalk.

However, Liberty Times reported that during interrogation, Hu said the project did not meet the conditions for urban renewal and was therefore ineligible for the associated floor area ratio bonus. The outlet also reported that Hu, along with then-Urban Planning Commission Executive Secretary Liu Hsiu-ling (劉秀玲), had drafted an opinion opposing the project's eligibility.

Additionally, Liberty Times claimed Hu had complained to colleagues that former Taipei Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲), a co-defendant, ignored expert recommendations regarding the project.

Taiwan People’s Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) weighed in on the court proceedings, arguing that Hu’s testimony reflected inappropriate conduct by prosecutors during interrogation, per Newtalk.