The Taipei District Court yesterday began hearings in a case involving former vice president Lien Chan’s (連戰) daughter, Lien Hui-hsin (連惠心), who allegedly publicly insulted a Next Magazine reporter in 2013.
Lien Hui-hsin was indicted for insulting the reporter, surnamed Lee (李), by calling her a “psycho” when Lee attempted to ask Lien Hui-hsin a question about her involvement with a nutritional supplement company whose weight-loss pills were found to contain unauthorized drugs.
Lien Hui-hsin said that the case was a “misunderstanding” and alleged that Next Magazine, in an attempt to force her to settle out of court, had sent her a letter of attestation she felt was threatening.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said Lien Hui-hsin appeared at the prosecutors’ office in October 2013 as part of an investigation into the Wellslim pills case and was intercepted by Lee as she was visiting the restroom during a break in the questioning.
Lee asked a question about materials printed in the magazine, but Lien allegedly muttered to herself: “What are you talking about?” and “Psycho” before walking back into the room, the office said.
Lien Hui-hsin yesterday told the court that the incident was all a misunderstanding, that she did not know Lee and had not even seen her that night.
Even if she said the word “psycho,” it was in reference to the case during a discussion with her lawyer, and not aimed at Lee personally, Lien Hui-hsin said.
Lien Hui-hsin said Next Magazine had sent letters of attestation for trumped-up charges, saying that if the Lien family did not settle out of court they would “take action” against her then-six-month-old nephew.
Lien Hui-hsin’s lawyer said that the magazine’s offer for an out-of-court settlement was NT$500,000 in reparations, as well the invalidating of an 2006 agreement — in which the magazine agreed to confirm facts with the Liens before reporting anything regarding the family.
Two reporters, surnamed Lu (呂) and Lai (賴), testified in court, but the court considered the claims tainted as both are employees of the Next Media group.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu, front, grabs the pennant in a dragon boat race hosted by Qu Yuan Temple in the Shuanghsi River in Taipei’s Beitou District yesterday.
RSS