The recent developments surrounding Taiwanese presidential candidate Ko Wen-je have highlighted both his colorful past and the legal scrutiny he faces as he campaigns for the presidency. The former Taipei mayor has drawn attention not only for his candidacy but also for his peculiar claims likening himself to historical figures, as reported during the course of a legal investigation.
Specifically, reports emerged indicating Ko's hard drive included comments where he referred to himself as the "Emperor of the Qing Dynasty", which has raised eyebrows among political commentators and his adversaries. Ko's claim is not merely for comedic effect, but rather pertains to the way he navigates his political persona.
According to Tsai Bi-ru, former legislator and spokesperson for Ko, such historical analogies were common during interactions between her and Ko. During recent media interviews, Tsai expressed, “Ko really loves to use some historical metaphors; it was quite frequent when we were working together at the hospital.” This light-hearted reflection casts Ko's statements as somewhat whimsical rather than malicious.
Tsai is caught between defending her former colleague and clarifying the seriousness of the investigation conducted by the prosecutor's office. She has been summoned for questioning multiple times, clocking nearly twenty hours where she discussed what she considers personal matters instead of the actual case. “The prosecutors have never asked me about whether I know Shen Qing-jing from the Weijing Group, for example,” she noted, emphasizing the nature of her testimony remained largely unrelated to the key issues at hand.
Among the contentious matters discussed was another claim related to Ko’s alleged instruction to arrange urban planning processes during his term, signified by handwritten notes Tsai acknowledged as hers. “There was nothing negligent about it; I am neither the committee nor the planning office,” Tsai insisted, asserting the professional review of these actions should revert to the city’s planning department.
Ko's phrase “I absolutely will not let you become the Emperor of the Manchu Dynasty,” which he reportedly directed to Tsai, has also been brought to the forefront, showcasing the sometimes theatrical nature of their exchanges. Tsai asserts such remarks are reflective of their rapport, yet they are being examined for their relevancy to the case. “I do not see the relevance of such emotional phrases when profiling my character,” she protested, believing this reflects more about Ko's personality than the legal matters at hand.
The investigation surrounding Ko Wen-je is taking place as he rallies support for his presidential candidacy, aiming to present himself as relatable yet competent. The unique blending of political ambition and personal wit serves to humanize the candidate; nonetheless, it creates challenges as scrutiny from investigators may lead to problematic revelations.
The prosecutor's office is digging deep, hoping to connect the dots between Ko’s past actions and his current political maneuvering. Past jokes and light-hearted comments are now being weighed against the serious allegations he faces. Tsai, as one of the primary witnesses, is threading the needle between defending her friend and ensuring justice is observed—reflecting the complicated nature of political environments where personal and professional worlds collide.
To many, the image of Ko Wen-je likening himself to historic emperors is emblematic of his larger-than-life persona, which has attracted supporters as much as it has produced critics. The coming weeks will be telling as the investigation proceeds alongside the election campaign.
