TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) on Wednesday refused to apologize for alleging DPP involvement in a pepper spray incident at Taichung’s Fengchia Night Market, despite police identifying a local precinct chief as responsible.
Former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said Saturday he was exposed to pepper spray while visiting the night market with TPP Taichung City Council candidate Liu Chin-yu (劉芩妤) on Friday. Initial claims from TPP figures suggested possible foul play, but a police investigation on Monday identified Taichung Sixth Precinct chief Chou Chun-ming (周俊銘) as the individual involved.
Liu said Saturday that a volunteer reported seeing individuals spraying an unknown substance into the air, leading her to speculate the incident may have involved multiple people, per SETN. She also framed the incident as a public safety issue, saying responsibility ultimately lies with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) as the highest-ranking official.
Wu Cheng (吳崢) called on Huang to apologize for linking the ruling party to the incident without evidence, per UP Media. Huang rejected the demand, accusing the DPP of attempting to divert attention from what he described as broader societal divisions, per Newtalk.
TPP spokesperson Chang Tung (張彤) noted that Chou Chun-ming’s testing of pepper spray multiple times in a crowded area reflected poor judgment. Ko said the precinct chief should have come forward earlier to clarify the situation and prevent confusion.
The National Police Agency said Chou Chun-ming will be transferred to a police specialist position within the Taipei City Police Department, per Liberty Times. TPP Secretary-General Chou Yu-hsiu (周榆修) commented Tuesday that both Huang and Ko said this was too severe a punishment, per Newtalk.
