Ko Wen-je shows off electronic wristband, internet celebrity calls him 'high-profile criminal'

Former Taiwan People's Party chairman Ko Wen-je, currently out on bail for corruption charges, has swapped his electronic ankle monitor for a wristband. The politician, who received a 17-year prison sentence in his first trial for alleged corruption and political donation violations, is awaiting his appeal hearing on September 8.

Ko visited a police station on Tuesday morning to have the monitoring device changed. He later shared a photo of the new wristband on his Instagram account, playfully suggesting it would start a "watch trend." This post quickly drew sharp criticism from internet celebrity "Four-Faced Cat," who derided Ko as the "most high-profile criminal" for using the monitoring device as a fashion accessory and attempting to popularize it.

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I'm starting a watch trend.

Netizens also joined in the online criticism, with comments ranging from calling Ko "arrogant" for his behavior despite his conviction to questioning his sense of shame. Some users expressed disbelief at his audacity, while others sarcastically suggested he should declare "I am corrupt, and I am proud."

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I've never seen such a high-profile criminal. He's using an electronic shackle for a profile picture and wants to start a trend for electronic shackles. This is utter moral decay and the collapse of social order.