Kaohsiung candidate Lai Jui-lung mocks rival's 'Han Wave' imitation: 'Hard to fool voters twice'

Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lai Jui-lung has sharply criticized his opponent Ko Chih-en's perceived strategy to replicate the "Han Wave" political success, stating that voters are too savvy to fall for the same tactics twice.

Lai, a candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party, made the remarks during a radio interview, referencing the populist appeal that propelled former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu to prominence. Lai believes the public has seen through such tactics, particularly after Han's controversial mayoral recall and subsequent presidential run. "It's not easy to be fooled twice!" Lai asserted, emphasizing that political engagement should be pragmatic and focused on genuine governance.

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It's not easy to be fooled twice!

Lai pointed to current Mayor Chen Chi-mai's achievements, including attracting major investments like TSMC and boosting the city's economy through events, as evidence of Kaohsiung's positive trajectory. He cited recent polls showing Chen's approval rating exceeding 80%, suggesting strong public satisfaction with the city's administration. Lai positioned himself as a continuation of Chen's policies, aiming to build on the city's "golden 10 years" of development.

Furthermore, Lai criticized Ko Chih-en's support for the opposition Kuomintang's version of fiscal reform, arguing that it disadvantages Kaohsiung by potentially costing the city NT$20 billion annually. Lai stressed his own deep understanding of Kaohsiung's needs, developed during his decade of service in the city government, and presented himself as the candidate best equipped to lead the city's continued progress.

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I will continue Chen Chi-mai's administration, which is my biggest advantage!