TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT New Taipei mayoral hopeful Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) on Saturday rejected allegations that he violated revolving door regulations, saying he welcomed any investigation into the matter.
UP Media reported that Lee served as chief executive officer of Hung Kuo Construction Co. in 2022 after former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) was recalled from office in 2020.
Under Taiwan’s revolving door regulations, former civil servants are prohibited for three years after leaving office from taking senior positions in companies operating in sectors they directly supervised during the five years before their retirement.
According to financial disclosures filed with the Control Yuan, Lee’s assets increased by about NT$12.8 million (US$407,900) during the two-year period between leaving the Kaohsiung City Government and joining the Taipei City Government. Industry insiders said it is common for former senior local officials to serve as advisers to construction firms after leaving office.
After Lee became Taipei deputy mayor, his subsequent financial disclosures reflected income earned from his government position.
A legal source said revolving door laws are intended to prevent high-ranking officials from leveraging their public service experience for the benefit of specific companies, per Fount Media. The source added that deputy mayor positions are among the types of offices the law is designed to scrutinize closely.
Responding to the allegations, Lee’s campaign said his actions were legal. Lee also said he welcomed any investigation by prosecutors, per Newtalk.
