TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Kaohsiung City Council Speaker Tseng Li-yen (曾麗燕) on Monday clarified remarks in which she praised DPP Kaohsiung mayoral hopeful Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆).
Tseng praised Lai during a community event Sunday, saying that although her district is not represented by a KMT lawmaker, Lai had served all residents well, including KMT supporters, per UDN. She added that Lai could become a fine mayor in the future.
Her remarks immediately fueled speculation that Lai’s grassroots outreach efforts had made inroads into traditionally KMT-aligned local networks. However, Tseng later issued a statement reaffirming her support for KMT Kaohsiung mayoral candidate and Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩).
Tseng said her comments were made out of courtesy and did not carry any deeper political meaning, per UP Media.
Responding to the reports, Ko said Tseng had already explained to her that the remarks were simply polite comments and did not indicate support for Lai, per Liberty Times. Ko added that media coverage may have overinterpreted the remarks as an endorsement, which she said was unfair to Tseng.
Lai also responded, saying many local politicians work across party lines to serve communities, per NOWNews. He said he shares that approach and regularly cooperates with politicians from different parties. Lai also expressed gratitude for the support he has received.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) weighed in as well, saying Tseng’s comments appeared to stem from personal observation rather than political calculation, per China Times. He added that the city council has focused more on solving problems than engaging in political confrontation.
Tseng is currently appealing a corruption conviction related to the alleged misuse of assistant salary subsidies. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison and barred from holding public office for six years, though the case remains under appeal at the Supreme Court.
