Behind the Scenes: Why Did Tsai Pi-ju Become a Nun? Linked to a Conversation with Ko Wen-je

Tsai Pi-ju, former legislator of the Taiwan People's Party who previously sought the party's nomination for Changhua County magistrate, recently announced on Facebook that she has entered 'short-term monastic training' at Fo Guang Shan in Kaohsiung, temporarily stepping away from her busy work and the surrounding turmoil to calm her mind before the Buddha.

Ko Wen-je, former chairman of the Taiwan People's Party and a 30-year acquaintance of Tsai, responded with 'Heavens!' but stated he was unaware of the details, adding, 'You need a diagnosis before you can offer treatment.'

When Ko Wen-je served as Taipei mayor, Tsai Pi-ju was his director of the mayor's office and was known for her strong leadership style, earning her the nickname 'Blood Droplet.' However, after the 2024 presidential election, Tsai and Ko gradually drifted apart. Following Ko's detention and imprisonment, Tsai briefly ran for party chair but lost, eventually becoming marginalized within the party. Now that Ko has been released from prison, what are his thoughts on Tsai Pi-ju?