DPP Criticizes KMT Legislator Niu Hsu-ting over 'Pacific SOGO Case' Intervention; Niu Denies Allegations

According to the Central News Agency, media reports allege that KMT Legislator Niu Hsu-ting coordinated on the 'Pacific SOGO case' following a petition. The DPP legislative caucus stated on the 1st that Niu holding five coordination meetings with officials as a legislator constitutes public interference in the judiciary. Niu responded that there were no financial dealings and that the meetings did not influence judicial rulings. The Pacific SOGO case, involving a battle for control of the department store, previously led to the conviction of multiple legislators for bribery. Reports suggest Niu has held at least five meetings since last June with senior Ministry of Economic Affairs officials regarding the company's registration and corporate law disputes. DPP caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that legislators should avoid such judicial cases. Secretary-General Fan Yun added that attempting to overturn a settled judicial case is unacceptable. Niu explained that the petitioner is a Singaporean entrepreneur and the meetings were merely to clarify legal disputes to encourage foreign investment.