TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former TPP Legislator Lin Kuo-chen (林國成) was indicted Thursday for allegedly publicly insulting President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).
Public insult is a criminal offense under Taiwan's Criminal Code, unlike in many other democracies. Lin faces up to one year in prison or a fine of less than NT$9,000 (US$287) under Article 309 of Taiwan’s Criminal Code, CNA reported. The charges stem from remarks Lin made during a speech at a live-streamed rally outside DPP headquarters on July 20.
Taipei District Prosecutors Office investigators said Lin, then a serving lawmaker, repeatedly used obscene language in his speech, including swearing aimed directly at Lai five times.
The remarks came six days before a mass recall vote targeting opposition KMT legislators. Prosecutors said the comments publicly humiliated Lai and damaged his reputation.
Lin issued a Facebook apology the next day, describing his words as an emotional lapse fueled by rally fervor. He apologized again Thursday, per Liberty Times, saying, “Immediately after the incident, I did express that it was indeed inappropriate.”
Even so, prosecutors recommended a stiffer sentence, citing his later denial of fault and what they described as a lack of remorse.
