On March 26, the Taipei District Court issued its first-instance verdict in the case involving former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je over the Core Pacific City (Jinghua City) floor area ratio (FAR) scandal and political donations. The court returned multiple guilty verdicts and sentenced him to 17 years in prison and deprivation of civil rights for 6 years. His bail of NT$70 million and electronic ankle monitor remain in place. The case is still subject to appeal.
In addition, a total of 11 defendants, including individuals associated with the Vieshow (Weijing) Group, were sentenced. Shen Qingjing and Ying Xiaowei were each required to increase their bail by NT$30 million; both agreed to remain in the court’s holding room while arranging bail. Li Wenzong had his electronic ankle monitor removed, while other restrictions remain unchanged.
The highly watched Jinghua City case concluded its first trial after approximately one and a half years of investigation and hearings, with the Taipei District Court delivering its verdict on the afternoon of the 26th. The court found that Ko Wen-je was guilty of four major offenses, including bribery in breach of official duties, profiteering, and offenses related to political donations such as misappropriation of public funds and breach of trust. The combined sentence totals 17 years, along with 6 years of deprivation of civil rights.
During prosecution, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office had sought a total sentence of 28 years and 6 months for Ko under the Anti-Corruption Act. This included charges related to improper benefit exchanges and bribery in the Jinghua City case (NT$2.1 million + NT$15 million), seeking 15 years for profiteering along with a fine of NT$50 million; two counts of public fund misappropriation (NT$62.34 million via Muke Company and NT$6 million in political donations transferred by Chiu Pei-lin), seeking 6 and 5 years respectively; and breach of trust (NT$8.27 million from the Zhongwang Foundation used to pay Taiwan People’s Party staff salaries), seeking 2 years and 6 months.
The verdict noted that a key issue in the case was whether there was a quid pro quo relationship between political donations and specific benefits. The panel of judges determined that some financial flows constituted substantive quid pro quo and thus met the criteria for bribery, while other amounts were not accepted due to insufficient evidence.
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Following the verdict, the court immediately held a hearing to determine whether to modify bail conditions and electronic monitoring measures for Ko and others. Ko stated that he would not flee, requested removal of the electronic ankle monitor, and asked for a reduction in bail.
Verdicts for the 11 defendants and subsequent developments
This case involves multiple defendants, not just a single individual. In addition to those linked to the Vieshow (Weijing) Group, 11 defendants were sentenced. Several received prison terms, while a few were acquitted, reflecting the court’s differentiated assessment of each person’s involvement.
Ko Wen-je had previously been released on NT$70 million bail, fitted with an electronic ankle monitor, and restricted from leaving the country or traveling by sea. Whether his legal status and related compulsory measures will be adjusted after this ruling remains subject to further court decisions.
Shen Qingjing, chairman of the Vieshow Group, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 5 years of deprivation of civil rights, with an additional NT$30 million bail set. Kuomintang Taipei City Councilor Ying Xiaowei was sentenced to 15 years and 6 months, with 6 years of deprivation of civil rights, also with an additional NT$30 million bail. Former Director of the Taipei Mayor’s Office Li Wenzong was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months, with his electronic ankle monitor removed while other measures remain.
Former Taipei Deputy Mayor Peng Zhensheng was sentenced to 2 years, with 1 year of deprivation of civil rights, suspended for 3 years. Former Taipei Public Works Bureau Director Huang Jingmao was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months, with 3 years of deprivation of civil rights. Former Executive Secretary of the Taipei Urban Planning Commission Shao Hsiu-pei was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months, suspended for 3 years. Former chairperson of Muke Company Li Wenjuan was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months. Accountant Duanmu Zheng was sentenced to 1 year. Wu Shunmin, advisor to Ying Xiaowei, and Chang Chih-cheng, supervisor of Jinghua City, were found not guilty.
In response to the verdict, Ko Wen-je’s side stated that they will appeal in accordance with the law. The case is regarded as one of the most significant judicial cases in Taiwan’s political sphere in recent years, involving not only personal criminal liability but also broader political implications, drawing high public attention. With the first-instance ruling now issued, the “Jinghua City case” has entered a new stage, though the final outcome will depend on subsequent appeals.
