Kaohsiung Obesity Rate Sparks Political Clash: KMT Candidate Claims Highest, DPP Candidate Cites Second Lowest

Kaohsiung's obesity rate has become a point of contention between political candidates, with KMT mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en asserting it is the highest among Taiwan's six major cities at 41.3%. However, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Yin Li strongly disputes this claim, presenting data that shows Kaohsiung's obesity rate has fallen to the second lowest in the country at 38.1%.

Yin Li criticized Ko's statement, suggesting it demonstrates a lack of understanding of Kaohsiung's current situation. He pointed out that the number of national sports centers in Kaohsiung has increased significantly, from one to fifteen since Ko's alleged previous engagement with the city's policies. Yin Li further accused Ko of repeatedly making factual errors regarding Kaohsiung, citing instances where she misidentified landmarks and businesses, and even included a long-closed night market in her campaign materials.

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Kaohsiung's obesity rate has long since dropped to the second lowest among the six major cities (38.1%).

These repeated geographical and factual inaccuracies, Yin Li argued, are not mere slip-ups but reveal a deeper disconnect from the city. He suggested that Ko's understanding of Kaohsiung is based on superficial online searches and staff-generated materials, lacking genuine local experience. Yin Li implied that Ko's approach is superficial, using the phrase "Ke Shi-yin" (柯士因), a pun on her name that sounds like "only because" (只是因為), suggesting her actions are superficial and lack genuine commitment to the city.

Ko's campaign has been marked by several public gaffes, including confusing the "Da Li Department Store" with "Da Li Guang Department Store," referring to the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts as "Da Wu Ying," and calling the Kaohsiung Main Station the "Kaohsiung Train Station." The inclusion of the Ding Shan Night Market, which permanently closed in 2014, in her policy map further fueled criticism.

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If you remove the 'heart' from her name, she is left with 'yin' (因), meaning 'because,' and only proceeds based on past practices or makes do with what is available.