Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who is also the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman, yesterday apologized on Facebook for calling his party’s central review committee chairman “a dog.”
Ko criticized Lin Shu-hui (林恕暉), who is also head of TPP Legislator Lai Hsiang-ling’s (賴香伶) office, for withdrawing the nomination of the TPP’s Miaoli County councilor candidate.
“Who does that dog belong to? Go back and discipline it,” Ko said on Saturday.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
The committee had suggested that the party withdraw the candidate after an internal review found that the primary election had generated controversy and was seen as unfair.
Later that same day, Lai publicly asked Ko to apologize to Lin, to which Ko responded that he would talk to Lai privately, saying that interparty matters should be resolved internally.
Nevertheless, Ko yesterday wrote on Facebook that “the inappropriate words I used in the internal meeting hurt my comrade, so I should apologize for that,” and for damaging the image of the party.
Ko said the TPP was committed to creating a fresh political culture, but their lack of experience had led to some improper behavior.
In response to media queries yesterday, Lai said that Ko twice called to apologize earlier in the day and promised to reflect on the incident.
Lai said she told Ko that everyone had opinions on the party platform when they were discussing the nomination of candidates, but there was no need to use emotionally charged language.
She said she hopes that party members can let go of personal grudges, respect its system and treat each other equally.
When asked if she holds a grudge against Ko because of the incident, Lai said that she has worked with him for about eight years, and believes they can clear up the misunderstanding and continue working toward the goal of reforming politics in Taiwan.
Lin had no comment as of press time.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College