Court Verdict! Mirror Media Reporter Sentenced to 3 Months for Defamation Over Claiming Ko Wen-je's Sister-in-law Invested in Kaisi

Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of hiring private investigators to surveil political opponents. Last year, Mirror Media reported that the company involved was Kaisi International, established with a NT$1 million investment by Ko's sister-in-law, Kao Hui. In response, Ko filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against reporter Lin Chun-hung. On May 21, the Taipei District Court announced its verdict: Lin was found guilty of disseminating defamatory written content and sentenced to three months in prison, with the option of paying NT$1,000 per day in lieu of incarceration.

According to the court’s public judgment database, the case number is Criminal Case No. 114 Zi Zi 000069, categorized as aggravated defamation. The judgment states that Lin committed the crime of written defamation and is sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, convertible to a fine at a rate of NT$1,000 per day. No further details were disclosed.

In response, TPP caucus director Chen Chih-han posted on Facebook, clarifying that the case stemmed from Lin’s claim that Ko’s sister-in-law invested in Kaisi, leading to a private criminal prosecution. Chen criticized the ruling, stating, 'This kind of repeat offender who abuses press freedom to slander others’ reputations is allowed to pay a fine instead of serving time. With no remorse and repeatedly offending, they hide under the protection of Mirror Media Group, which enables the spread of fake news and is practically an accomplice to fraud.'