Image Credits: Los Angeles Times
In the wake of a recent Taipei District Court ruling that ordered former Taipei Mayor Ko Wenzhe to return without bail, political tensions have intensified regarding his claims about the Jinghua City project. Ko Wenzhe has asserted that he was unaware of the 840% floor area ratio for Jinghua City until March or April of this year. This declaration has sparked a fierce backlash from both Blue and Green Taipei City Council members, who accuse him of dishonesty.
Councilors from both major political camps have openly criticized Ko. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Councilor He Menghua has labeled Ko’s statements as outright lies, highlighting that the issue of Jinghua City’s floor area ratio had been raised by city councilors as early as November 2021. He Menghua pointed out that Ko Wenzhe was questioned on related matters at least three years prior, making his recent claims implausible. DPP Councilor Hsu Shu-hua had also brought up similar concerns regarding floor area bonuses in 2023, further questioning Ko’s credibility.
Jian Shupei, another DPP councilor, echoed these concerns, accusing Ko of misleading the public and the judiciary. Jian noted that Ko, as the former mayor, would have been intimately aware of Jinghua City’s floor area ratio, given his involvement in approving the project’s urban plan changes in late 2022. Jian criticized Ko for his alleged attempt to shift blame and evade responsibility.
Yan Ruofang, also from the DPP, condemned Ko for allegedly exploiting legal loopholes to avoid criminal responsibility, emphasizing that his claims of ignorance were not only unconvincing but also suggestive of an attempt to manipulate the judicial process.
In response to the allegations, Kuomintang (KMT) Taipei City Councilor You Shuhui questioned whether the Jinghua City case was genuinely problematic or if it was a smokescreen to distract from other issues. You suggested that Ko Wenzhe’s purported ignorance could be part of a broader attempt to downplay his role and responsibilities in the matter.
The controversy surrounding Ko Wenzhe and the Jinghua City project underscores a larger struggle over political accountability and transparency in Taipei. As investigations continue, the public and political analysts alike are closely watching how these allegations will unfold and what implications they might have for the city’s governance and political landscape.