TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Taiwan People’s Party Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) marked his 66th birthday Wednesday with a court appearance at Taipei District Court, where he agreed to drop a defamation lawsuit against Taipei City Councilor Chung Hsiao-ping (鍾小平).
Ko filed the suit after Chung accused him of accepting more than NT$300 million (US$10.17 million) in bribes, UDN reported. After a 40-minute court session, Ko agreed to withdraw the case following Chung’s formal apology.
Ko told the court he had been reading extensively while in detention, which inspired him to pursue reconciliation. Outside the courthouse, Chung said the resolution was intended to support smoother cooperation between the Kuomintang and Democratic Progressive Party .
Ko was indicted in December by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office in connection with alleged corruption tied to the redevelopment of the Core Pacific department store site during his tenure as Taipei mayor. He is currently detained without bail, with the court extending his detention by two months on Aug. 2, citing concerns over possible evidence tampering or collusion with co-defendants and witnesses.
Outside the court, DPP supporters marked Ko’s birthday by chanting well-wishes for his “safety and health.” TPP Spokesperson Wu Yi-hsuan (吳怡萱) wore a "Happy Birthday" T-shirt, declared Ko’s innocence, and called for a formal apology from Chung.
