Ko Wen-je Allegedly Sprayed with Pepper Spray on Campaign Trail, Lu Shiow-yen Directs Police to Speed Up Investigation
TPP founder Ko Wen-je was allegedly sprayed with pepper spray while campaigning in Taichung. Mayor Lu Shiow-yen condemned the act and ordered a swift police investigation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 12:52
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 13:01 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 21:31 (8h 29m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, Taichung, 18th, Reporter Hao Hsueh-chin) Taiwan People's Party founder Ko Wen-je was allegedly sprayed with pepper spray by an unidentified person while sweeping Fengjia Night Market last night. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen stated today that she has instructed the police to speed up the investigation, emphasizing that no infringement on safety is allowed in Taichung.
While Ko Wen-je was accompanying TPP Taichung City Councilor candidate Liu Tsin-yu to canvass at Fengjia Night Market last night, he was allegedly sprayed with pepper spray by an unidentified individual. Ko immediately looked unwell and covered his mouth to cough.
Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, when interviewed while attending the 80th-anniversary celebration of Qingshui Senior High School this morning, said that after learning of the incident last night, she immediately directed the police to accelerate the investigation.
Lu emphasized that Taichung City is a place governed by democracy and the rule of law, where no infringement on anyone's safety is tolerated, and the city's security cannot be threatened.
Liu Tsin-yu accompanied the victimized volunteers to the Sixth Precinct of the Taichung City Police Department this morning to complete reporting procedures. She questioned that, based on the team's subsequent cross-referencing, this was not a single isolated incident, but a highly targeted, "three-wave" continuous malicious attack.
Liu stated that two people riding a motorcycle carried out three ambushes within just 40 minutes, showing they came prepared. Multiple volunteers, entourage members, and even Ko Wen-je himself experienced severe stinging and discomfort in their respiratory tracts at the scene. This is not just targeting a political party, but an open provocation to public safety.
The Sixth Precinct of the Taichung City Police Department explained after receiving Liu's report that while Ko and Liu were canvassing at Fengjia Night Market last night, police officers were deployed according to plan to accompany them and ensure the event proceeded smoothly.
Police stated that after the event ended, they received a report from the candidate about being allegedly sprayed with pepper spray by unidentified persons. A special task force has been set up for active investigation, and the reporting process was completed this morning. They are currently expanding the review of relevant CCTV footage to clarify the case.
Police added that an initial check showed the canvassing area was a pedestrian zone, and currently, they haven't found the situation reported involving two people on a motorcycle spraying. The police will continue to expand the investigation, adhere to the principle of not wronging the innocent and not letting the guilty off, make every effort to clarify the facts, and investigate according to the law.
(CNA, Taichung, 18th, Reporter Hao Hsueh-chin) Taiwan People's Party founder Ko Wen-je was allegedly sprayed with pepper spray by an unidentified person while sweeping Fengjia Night Market last night. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen stated today that she has instructed the police to speed up the investigation, emphasizing that no infringement on safety is allowed in Taichung.
While Ko Wen-je was accompanying TPP Taichung City Councilor candidate Liu Tsin-yu to canvass at Fengjia Night Market last night, he was allegedly sprayed with pepper spray by an unidentified individual. Ko immediately looked unwell and covered his mouth to cough.
Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, when interviewed while attending the 80th-anniversary celebration of Qingshui Senior High School this morning, said that after learning of the incident last night, she immediately directed the police to accelerate the investigation.
Lu emphasized that Taichung City is a place governed by democracy and the rule of law, where no infringement on anyone's safety is tolerated, and the city's security cannot be threatened.
Liu Tsin-yu accompanied the victimized volunteers to the Sixth Precinct of the Taichung City Police Department this morning to complete reporting procedures. She questioned that, based on the team's subsequent cross-referencing, this was not a single isolated incident, but a highly targeted, "three-wave" continuous malicious attack.
Liu stated that two people riding a motorcycle carried out three ambushes within just 40 minutes, showing they came prepared. Multiple volunteers, entourage members, and even Ko Wen-je himself experienced severe stinging and discomfort in their respiratory tracts at the scene. This is not just targeting a political party, but an open provocation to public safety.
The Sixth Precinct of the Taichung City Police Department explained after receiving Liu's report that while Ko and Liu were canvassing at Fengjia Night Market last night, police officers were deployed according to plan to accompany them and ensure the event proceeded smoothly.
Police stated that after the event ended, they received a report from the candidate about being allegedly sprayed with pepper spray by unidentified persons. A special task force has been set up for active investigation, and the reporting process was completed this morning. They are currently expanding the review of relevant CCTV footage to clarify the case.
Police added that an initial check showed the canvassing area was a pedestrian zone, and currently, they haven't found the situation reported involving two people on a motorcycle spraying. The police will continue to expand the investigation, adhere to the principle of not wronging the innocent and not letting the guilty off, make every effort to clarify the facts, and investigate according to the law.