Ko Wen-je Faces New Corruption Allegations Over Bridge Demolition Project

The recent conviction of former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je in the alleged 京華城 (Jinghua City) corruption case has sent shockwaves through Taiwan's political landscape. Now, media personality Lee Cheng-hao is pointing to another potential scandal that could ensnare Ko: the demolition project for the Zhongxiao Bridge approach. Lee alleges that the project, awarded to Huang Chang Construction, may have involved inflated costs due to discrepancies between the contracted methods and the actual construction.

Lee's claims are based on information from a whistleblower who reportedly received a summons from the Investigation Bureau regarding the case. The whistleblower alleges that Ko Wen-je's administration may have facilitated illicit gains for Huang Chang Construction, potentially exceeding NT$100 million. This accusation echoes past concerns raised by Taipei City Councilor Lee Ching-yuan in 2018, who questioned the project's bidding and execution, suggesting potential fraud and corruption.

Adding another layer to the controversy, former KMT Taipei City Councilor Wang Hung-wei noted in 2018 that Huang Chang Construction was considered close to Ko's administration, having secured numerous large-scale projects during his tenure. These included the Wanta Shulin MRT line, the Zhongxiao Bridge approach demolition, and the Nanmen Market renovation, totaling over NT$14.4 billion. The fact that Huang Chang Construction's chairman, Chiang Cheng-chin, was questioned as a witness in the Jinghua City case late last year, despite no apparent donations listed in an Excel ledger, further fuels speculation.

While the Control Yuan previously found no wrongdoing in the Zhongxiao Bridge approach demolition in 2021, Lee argues that new evidence and witnesses warrant a fresh investigation. The Investigation Bureau's recent involvement suggests that this long-dormant case may be far from over, potentially opening another front in the ongoing scrutiny of Ko Wen-je's past dealings.