Ko Wen-je resigns as TPP chairman

Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) has resigned as chairman of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and will be replaced on an acting basis by TPP Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), the party said Wednesday.

Ko, who is out on bail after being indicted on corruption charges, announced his resignation as chairman during an expanded meeting of the TPP's Central Committee, committee member Chiang Ho-shu (江和樹) told reporters.

Despite efforts to dissuade him, Ko remained firm in his decision to resign, Chiang said, adding that Ko would remain a "lifetime member" and guiding force for the party.

The committee then moved to nominate Huang Kuo-chang as acting TPP chairman, which was approved by all 15 committee members with the exception of Huang, who did not vote, Chiang said.

Ko, the TPP's founder and 2024 presidential candidate, was indicted last week on corruption-related charges, including bribery, in connection with his handling of a private developer's real estate project during his second term as Taipei mayor from 2018 to 2022.

Ko spent nearly four months in incommunicado detention as he was being investigated before being released on bail on Dec. 27, a day after he was indicted.

On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a second appeal against his release, which has yet to be decided.

No time has been given yet for when Ko's trial will begin.

In a livestreamed video after the meeting, Ko described his four-month experience in detention, saying it had not changed his life philosophy of thinking positive thoughts and doing his best in everything.

He said he had decided to resign as chairman so that the “lengthy judicial process” of his trial would not “blur the focus” and harm the party.

The TPP has become a “major political force” in Taiwan, and “I absolutely will not let personal matters impede the TPP’s development,” or the development of Taiwan’s democracy, Ko said.