Speculation over Wu Shu-jen's (
Wu has been in National Taiwan University Hospital since last Friday, when she nearly collapsed during the first session of her trial.
Wu was indicted for corruption and forgery charges in connection with President Chen Shui-bian's (
The Chinese-language Next Magazine reported yesterday that Wu's health was deteriorating, saying she was suffering from "multiple organ dysfunctions."
Describing Wu's health as "a candle in the wind," the magazine claimed that many of Wu's organs were breaking down and could fail at any moment.
The National Taiwan University Hospital yesterday declined to comment on the report.
Hospital spokesman Lin Ho-hsiung (林鶴雄) said Wu's medical team would have spoken to the media if her health condition was that bad.
Presidential Office Secretary-General Mark Chen (陳唐山) yesterday told the media that he did not know Wu's exact condition as he had not visited her in the hospital. He added that Wu would appear in court if her health improved as it was the duty of a citizen to attend court when subpoenaed.
Responding to media inquiries, Vice President Annette Lu (
In related news, the president's son, Chen Chih-chung (陳致中), was set to return from the US last night.
Chen Chih-chung caused a stir when he left for the US on the same day his mother was hospitalized.
A visibly surprised Chen Chih-chung was mobbed by TV reporters outside his hotel in New York City yesterday.
Chen Chih-chung told the media that he was worried about the health of his mother and talked to his wife on the telephone about Wu almost every day.
"The telephone bill must be even more than the hotel bill," he said.
Additional reporting by Flora Wang
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