Five people detained in Ko corruption case released

Five people detained in Ko corruption case released

2024-12-27

Five people involved in the corruption case revolving around TPP chair Ko Wen-je, have been released on bail, including Ko himself and Core Pacific Group chair Sheen Ching-jing. After eight hours of deliberations in the detention court of the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, judges ruled that all main witnesses had given testimonies during the investigation and their detention was no longer necessary. Bail funds ranged from NT$5 million to NT$40 million. Prosecutors are protesting the judge’s decision and plan to file an appeal.

It’s been reported that Ko had difficulties raising the money. Not only party officials, but even his sister Ko Mei-lan were calling out for help in drumming up the funds. Ko’s supporters also posted photos of receipts of donations in support of Ko one after the other on their Facebook communities. However, a pundit revealed that the TPP had raised the money as early as 9 in the morning and questioned whether Ko was deliberately pretending to be poor.

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有變數? 京華城弊案5在押被告全交保北檢將提出抗告

2024-12-27

北院接押庭歷經8小時，法官裁定，重要證人都已於偵查中具結作證，沒有繼續羈押必要，民眾黨主席柯文哲，沈慶京等5名在押被告分別以4000萬到500萬交保。5名在押被告全都交保，北檢無法接受，將提出抗告。

但傳出柯文哲籌錢有困難，不只黨公職，妹妹柯美蘭也號召籌交保金，小草也在臉書社團發文，紛紛貼出捐款給民眾黨的單據，要聲援阿北。卻有名嘴爆料，民眾黨一早九點出頭就籌到錢，質疑故意裝窮。

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TPP, DPP have war of words over indictment of TPP chair Ko Wen-je

A war of words has erupted between the TPP and the ruling DPP after the indictment of opposition chairman Ko Wen-je on Thursday. In particular, Ko has been accused of embezzling funds from a foundation he set up to pay salaries to his TPP. At a press conference held by the TPP in response to Ko’s indictment, they put the blame on the DPP, alleging the ruling party’s New Frontier Foundation is run no differently. DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang hit back, saying the New Frontier Foundation is entirely different and, unlike the TPP’s foundation, it is not used to pay people’s salaries.

The TPP came out boldly in support of its chairman Ko Wen-je by holding an international press conference. But aside from defending Ko’s innocence, the main thrust of the press conference was to put the blame on the ruling DPP.

Lin Fu-nan (Dec. 26)
Spokesperson for Ko Wen-je
Ko Wen-je does not have illicit cash flows, Ko Wen-je is not a corrupt person who accepts bribes, nor is he a person who loves money. They are carrying out a political assassination of the TPP.

Rosalia Wu
DPP lawmaker
In the face of a mountain of evidence, you still continue to make remarks that are misleading and deceptive. Throughout the entire investigation conducted by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, has there ever been any mention of the DPP or Lai Ching-te?

In response to prosecutors’ accusations that Ko embezzled money from a charity foundation he set up to remunerate campaign staff and thus breached public trust, TPP secretary general Vincent Chou, who had once worked at the DPP’s think tank, the New Frontier Foundation, directed his criticisms at the DPP. He argued why could the DPP get away with this and not Ko?

Vincent Chou (Dec. 26)
TPP secretary general
The operational model of the TPP’s foundation is not substantially different from the DPP’s New Frontier Foundation. So why is it that Lai Ching-te can do this while Ko Wen-je deserves to die?

Lin Yu-chang
DPP secretary-general
What Secretary-General Vincent Chou said is untrue and entirely wrong, and completely unacceptable. The funds from the TPP’s foundation are used to pay TPP salaries, including party workers connected to Secretary-General Vincent Chou as well as the employees from Ko’s campaign office. The New Frontier Foundation, which was established with donations from the DPP, is entirely different in its characteristics, situation and intrinsic qualities. So I must sternly refute this here.

The indictment openly spells out Ko’s corruption step by step, but the TPP appears to be turning a blind eye and putting all the blame on other political parties.

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Trump faces different North Korea in second term

In his first term as US president, Donald Trump tightened economic sanctions against North Korea by attempting to force Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons program. VOA’s Young Gyo Kim looks at what Trump should expect from North Korea in his second term. Scott Stearns narrates.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used a military exhibition for his first remarks on the United States since Donald Trump became president-elect, saying past negotiations confirmed what he called Washington’s “unchangeable” hostility toward Pyongyang. Kim vowed to expand North Korea’s nuclear capabilities “without limit” as the only way to counter external threats. Kim today is a decidedly different opponent for Trump than when they last met in 2019.

Evans Revere
Brookings Institution
Kim Jong Un believes he has a stronger hand. And I believe part of that stronger hand is his new-found relationship with the Russians.

US military officials say there are now more than 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia helping with its invasion of Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov was in Pyongyang last month, advancing a strategic partnership treaty. Together, Russia and North Korea threaten greater instability, says former US national intelligence officer for North Korea Sydney Seiler.

Sydney Seiler
Center for Strategic and International Studies
This is becoming a military alliance with both a near-term and longer-term danger, a dangerous risk.

With North Korea gaining Russian air defense systems, upgraded munitions manufacturing, cash, and food and fuel aid, Seiler says Kim has less need for Washington than during Trump’s first term.

Sydney Seiler
Center for Strategic and International Studies
With all the things that Kim Jong Un is able to get from his new best friend Vladimir Putin why would he reach out to Donald Trump?

In his first term, Trump worked with South Korean leaders to try to roll back North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. In his second term, Trump will be dealing with a North Korea that has firmly closed the door on denuclearization, says Revere. Just days before last month’s US election, North Korea tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile that could potentially reach most of the US mainland.

For Young Gyo Kim, Scott Stearns, VOA News

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2024-12-27

Taiwan is to be the first beneficiary of border preclearance in Japan

Traveling to Japan is about to become more convenient for Taiwanese travelers. Starting January 1, Japan will implement border preclearance for entering the country at 10 smaller northern airports, with Taiwan being the first country the option applies to. The faster procedures will allow Taiwanese travelers to complete immigration inspections prior to boarding their flight in Taiwan, meaning they only need to have their passports checked and stamped upon arrival in Japan. Although the fast track option will initially be unavailable for travel to Japan’s larger airports, some speculate that may change, as Japan will host the World Expo in Osaka in April. In the meantime, those planning to take a ski trip to Japan will find things moving a lot faster.

Amid the year-end holiday season, a great number of people are making overseas vacation plans, and for Taiwanese in particular, Japan remains the top destination. Now, Tokyo has announced that Taiwanese will be the first beneficiaries of Japan’s new border preclearance procedures, which will be launched January 1.

Member of the public
I will be traveling to Japan in January. I think this system is great, because Taiwanese love to visit Japan. This will make things more convenient for travelers.

Member of the public
If there aren’t that many people [going through immigration], then it won’t make a big difference. But if there are a lot of people, this should make things easier.

Member of the public
This will make things go faster, because sometimes you have to line up for a long time.

With preclearance, travelers undergo pre-entry procedures prior to boarding their flight. Upon arrival in Japan, they only need to confirm their identity and have their passport stamped, greatly shortening the time required for entry.

In the initial stage, preclearance will be available for 10 smaller airports, including those in Hakodate and Akita. The new procedures are expected to benefit a large number of travelers, as Japan had received over five and a half million visitors from Taiwan this year, as of November. Some have speculated that Japan is introducing preclearance now as part of preparations for World Expo 2025, which is to be held in Osaka in April.

Chen Chien-chin
Tourism operator
It will make things simpler for Taiwanese tourists, and will speed up entry. This also comes at a time when Japan is preparing to host next year’s World Expo. So, it is using Taiwan as the lead.

Travel blogger
Many countries have been offering border clearance-related treatment to Taiwanese, which is great. In some cases this has manifested in visa-free entry.

Japan has long been a favorite destination for Taiwanese travelers, and starting next year, that travel is set to become easier. With Japan choosing Taiwan as the first beneficiary of the new policy, it shows that Taiwan-Japan ties are as strong as ever.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Textile artist Chen Ching-lin honored for lifetime of work

Textile artist Chen Ching-lin has been honored with a rare achievement award. The seasoned artist has had his creations worn on runways at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. More recently, he’s become the favorite designer of politician Audrey Tang. Now the prestigious award recognises Chen’s lifetime of work in the field of textiles and dyeing. He told FTV that he hopes to continue creating exchanges with international partners, emphasising that "mutual support" is needed for Taiwan.

These pieces of clothing featured in New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. They were inspired by “Travelers among Mountains and Streams,” a painting by Song dynasty artist Fan Kuan, housed at the National Palace Museum. After gracing the global runways in 2018, the outfit won the heart of ambassador-at-large Audrey Tang.

Tang has worn the outfit at many international events, making no secret of how much she adores it. The premium dyed fabrics were created by Chen Ching-lin, a textile artist of over 40 years’ experience. This year he was honored with a national award, the highest accolade in the field of crafts.

Wang Chia-lin
Television presenter
This achievement award is a bit like a Golden Horse Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s only given to one artist a year.

Chen Ching-lin
Textile artist
If there is such an opportunity, in various situations, I should do all I can to introduce the world to Taiwanese crafts. I also want to have more international exchange and tell more foreigners how great Taiwanese crafts are.

Over 70 years, the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute has uncovered exceptional artists from all over the country. This year their awards went to two categories: art and design, giving artists more opportunities to express themselves freely.

Chen Ching-lin
Textile artist
Taiwan is like a sparrow: small but perfectly formed. Taiwan has a lot of things that are unique, no. 1 in the world. The problem is that sometimes Taiwan isn’t seen, but in this global era, we’re not in the “lone wolf” age. We need mutual support, in many different ways.

Taiwan has a lot of soft power on the global stage. A Taiwanese “Crafts Team” could be said to be forming, from artists like Chen who want to bring their talents to the world and let Taiwan shine.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Photo exhibition celebrating women over 136 years’ history

A photo exhibition celebrating women has opened, showcasing iconic images selected from National Geographic’s archives all the way back to 1888. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in to see the highlights!

Here’s your chance to see one of the most well-known photos up close. This is “Afghan Girl,” shot by Steve McCurry. The picture is of Sharbat Gula, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Garrick Cheng
Organizer
This girl was photographed by a National Geographic photographer in Afghanistan in 1985. Due to the impact of war, her green eyes showed melancholy and fear. After this photo appeared on the National Geographic magazine the next year, it caught the eye of everyone. The world started to pay attention to the impact of war in Afghanistan. After more than 10 years, National Geographic found her again in 2022. She is already a mother and living a good life. The National Geographic also established a non-governmental organization to help support other Afghan women.

The exhibition also spotlights other inspiring women such as Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. There is also a photo of Diandra Forrest, the first woman with albinism to sign with a major modeling agency.

Garrick Cheng
Organizer
The theme of this area is “Beauty.” Traditionally in the past, we may have thought that women should be very dignified, very elegant, wear makeup, and be gentle in their movements. But such values and standards have changed a lot now. This photo is quite special. This is the first well-known African-American model in the world. Although she is African-American, her skin color is white because she has albinism. Some people in the past would think that she was ill or had some defects, but she took advantage of that and became a well-known model. She used her platform to tell people that they should not be limited by their conditions. Instead that could lead them to accomplish different things.

The exhibition features 100 images selected from National Geographic’s archives, showcasing the inspiring experiences of women over the past 136 years, since the magazine debuted in 1888. The exhibition is split into themes of joy, beauty, love, wisdom, hope and strength. Many of the images are displayed in Taiwan for the first time. Organizers hope to pay tribute to the resilience and accomplishments of women in history.

Garrick Cheng
Organizer
This exhibition is divided into six areas. The first area is joy, followed by love, beauty, strength, wisdom and hope. The 100 photos are of the past 136 years. They illustrate these six themes and introduce stories about women in 40 countries around the world. Each photo has a very touching story.

The “Women Born to Shine” photo exhibition will be held until April 6, 2025 at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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