Su Chiao-hui Hits Back as Political Allegations Backfire on KMT Legislator
KMT legislator Ko Ju-chiun confirmed on June 23 that he held shares in Weiru Technology, following accusations from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) that the company was improperly linked to Su Chiao-chun, sister of DPP New Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui. The TPP had previously alleged that Su Chiao-chun, who works for the company akaSwap, benefited from government subsidies, a claim the Ministry of Economic Affairs refuted by stating Su was not listed as a shareholder or director of the firms involved.
Did You Know?
The Ministry of Economic Affairs clarified that neither the firm “Weiru Technology” nor its joint-proposal partners list Su Chiao-chun as a responsible person, shareholder, or director in their official filings. Furthermore, the ministry noted that “akaSwap” was not an applicant for the subsidies in question.
The Origin of the Allegations
The controversy began on June 22 when the TPP held a press conference questioning the relationship between akaSwap and Weiru Technology. The TPP alleged that the companies received nearly 6 million NTD in subsidies from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Economic Affairs without disclosing potential conflicts of interest. The campaign office for Li Chuan, also involved in the criticism, accused Su Chiao-hui of failing to address these questions directly.
The Response and Political Fallout
Following the TPP’s claims, a person identifying as a shareholder of Weiru Technology alleged that KMT legislator Ko Ju-chiun was also a shareholder in the company. Ko confirmed his involvement on June 23 and announced he would relinquish his shares. Su Chiao-hui dismissed the initial accusations against her sister as an “erroneous report,” emphasizing that her sister is neither a shareholder nor an employee of the firm.
Expert Insight:
This incident highlights the high-stakes environment of the New Taipei City mayoral race. When political camps trade accusations regarding public funding and private interests, the primary impact is often a shift in public focus toward the candidates’ personal transparency and the legitimacy of their professional associations. The swift “boomerang” effect—where an accusation against one party leads to the discovery of a conflict of interest in another—underscores the volatility of campaigning in a highly scrutinized media cycle.
What Happens Next
With Ko Ju-chiun’s divestment, the focus of the controversy is likely to shift toward whether the political parties involved will demand further accountability. Su Chiao-hui has publicly stated her preference for the election to return to a discussion of candidate abilities and city vision. It is possible that the TPP and the Li Chuan campaign will face continued pressure to provide evidence for their claims, while the DPP may continue to demand public apologies for what they have labeled a “blunder” in accusation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the core accusation against Su Chiao-hui’s sister?
The TPP alleged that Su Chiao-chun, an executive at akaSwap, had undisclosed ties to Weiru Technology, which received nearly 6 million NTD in government subsidies.
Did the Ministry of Economic Affairs find evidence of misconduct?
No. The ministry stated that Su Chiao-chun does not appear in the shareholder or director data for the companies involved, and that akaSwap was not a subsidy recipient.
What is the status of Ko Ju-chiun’s involvement?
Ko confirmed he was a shareholder of Weiru Technology and officially announced his decision to dispose of his shares on June 23.
How should voters interpret the intersection of legislative duties and private corporate interests in local elections?