The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Central Evaluation Committee on Thursday expelled 50 party members, including former legislator Julian Kuo (郭正亮) and agricultural blogger Lin Yu-hung (林裕紘).
The committee said in a statement that the 50 expelled party members either contravened party rules by campaigning for other political parties during elections or were involved in #MeToo sex scandals. It added that although some had announced they were withdrawing from the DPP, the disciplinary committee still needed to officially revoke their memberships.
The unanimous decision by the committee to expel the members was made following discussions about their conduct in the 2022 local elections and this year’s presidential and legislative elections, the committee said.
Photo: Chien Jung-feng, Taipei Times
Kuo, one of the former high-profile DPP lawmakers to get the boot, is known for his harsh criticism of the party on various political TV shows. Kuo announced his withdrawal from the DPP in May last year, saying he had gradually moved away from the party.
Lin, another well-known party member, was kicked out after being accused of enlisting people to send him hoax death threats amid controversies related to a government-funded egg import program last year.
In addition, Hung Chih-kun (洪智坤), Tsai Mu-lin (蔡沐霖) and Chen Yu-hao (陳右豪) were expelled for their alleged involvement in sexual misconduct scandals.
Meanwhile, Chou Yu-hsiu (周榆修), a former aide to DPP lawmaker Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) and the ex-deputy head of the party’s youth branch, who was nominated by the Taiwan People’s Party as one of its legislator-at-large candidates in this year’s elections, was also kicked out.
In addition to the 50 expelled party members, the disciplinary committee also decided to suspend the memberships of 37 party members for a year.
Committee chairman Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) said the country is facing a new set of challenges after the Jan. 13 presidential election, so the party has zero tolerance for those who contravenes party rules.
Lai urged party members to take note of the party platform and unite in the fight to safeguard Taiwan’s freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”