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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Ex-Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je sparks outrage with 'watch trend' post after switching to electronic wristband

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je was granted a switch from an electronic ankle monitor to a less restrictive electronic wristband.
  • Ko, who is appealing convictions related to the Jingmei City case and political donations, shared a photo of the wristband on social media, calling it a "watch trend."
  • The move and his social media post drew sharp criticism from netizens, who accused him of being shameless and corrupt.

Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, who is currently appealing convictions related to the Jingmei City case and political donations, has been granted a modification to his electronic monitoring. Ko, formerly the chairman of the Taiwan People's Party, was previously required to wear an electronic ankle monitor but has now been approved to switch to a less burdensome electronic wristband.

Starting a watch trend.

— Ko Wen-jeKo Wen-je's caption accompanying a photo of his new electronic wristband on social media.

Following the change, Ko posted a photo of himself wearing the wristband on the social media platform Threads, accompanied by the caption, "Starting a watch trend." This post quickly ignited a firestorm of online criticism. Netizens responded with a barrage of negative comments, including accusations of shamelessness, corruption, and a lack of integrity, with some calling his actions a "corruption trend."

You are truly shameless.

— NetizenA common sentiment expressed by netizens in response to Ko Wen-je's social media post.

Ko had applied to have his electronic monitoring changed, citing discomfort and difficulty walking with the ankle device, especially during his recent campaign activities. He also sarcastically suggested that the judicial system might next offer an "electronic collar." Upon receiving the wristband, he affixed a sticker mocking President Lai Ching-te to it. The move and his subsequent social media post were widely condemned by internet users, who expressed disgust at his perceived lack of remorse and his attempt to trivialize the legal proceedings against him.

Maybe next the Ministry of Justice will offer an 'electronic collar.'

— Ko Wen-jeKo Wen-je's sarcastic comment about the electronic monitoring system.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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