Ko Wen-je Pepper Spray Incident: Taichung City Police's Sixth Precinct Chief Admits Accidental Spray, Precinct Apologizes
During a campaign event in Taichung, Taiwan People's Party founder Ko Wen-je was accidentally sprayed with pepper spray. The Sixth Precinct Chief of the Taichung City Police Bureau admitted involvement, and the precinct issued an apology. The chief received disciplinary action not only for the accidental spray but also for not reporting the incident immediately and other disciplinary violations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 18:29
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 19:02 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 21:07 (2h 5m after Collected)
Central News Agency reporter Hao Hsueh-Ching, Taichung, April 21:
Taiwan People's Party founding chairman Ko Wen-je was sprayed with pepper spray during a campaign event in Taichung on April 17. Police investigation revealed that Chou Chun-ming, chief of the Sixth Precinct of Taichung City Police Bureau, was responsible for the accidental spray. The Sixth Precinct today issued a statement, expressing deep apology for causing discomfort and panic among the public at the scene.
Ko Wen-je was sprayed with pepper spray during a street canvassing event with party legislator candidate Liu Chin-Yu at Fengjia Night Market on the evening of April 17. Liu Chin-Yu filed a complaint for assault at the Sixth Precinct on the morning of April 18. Police investigation found that Precinct Chief Chou Chun-ming accidentally sprayed it during security duties, and Chou Chun-ming was subsequently relieved of his position and given a demerit.
The Sixth Precinct stated that after reviewing relevant footage and on-site conditions, the preliminary investigation has been completed, and the duty process is being reviewed. Liu Chin-Yu was informed and understood the situation, withdrawing her complaint on the morning of April 21. The precinct acknowledges that there is still room for improvement in command and on-site response, and has immediately reviewed and improved its procedures, strengthening relevant training and supervision mechanisms.
Taichung City Police Chief Wu Ching-Tien explained during a media interview at the city government that due to Chou Chun-ming's improper handling, which seriously damaged the police's reputation, he received a demerit according to regulations, and as a precinct chief, the punishment was heavier, resulting in two demerits. As for being reassigned, there were other disciplinary violations, not just the accidental pepper spray, and confessing only after 24 hours was also one of the reasons.
Chief Wu Ching-Tien stated that according to the National Police Agency regulations, pepper spray is a consumable item that can be disposed of by oneself after use. Chou Chun-ming might have thought it was used up and had no residue. According to video footage, Chou Chun-ming discarded it in a trash can at Fengjia Night Market around 10 PM that evening, and the police later seized it after 12 AM.
Chief Wu Ching-Tien pointed out that according to regulations, precinct chiefs do not necessarily need to carry pepper spray on duty. Chou Chun-ming proactively went to the police station to request it himself. Chou Chun-ming usually works very diligently, but his personal conduct led to wasted police resources, so this matter should be viewed separately: his individual diligence in duties was appropriate, but his behavior was inappropriate.
Regarding whether the punishment was too severe, Chief Wu Ching-Tien believed that Chou Chun-ming did not admit it immediately, and there were serious disciplinary violations, so the punishment was not too severe and was handled according to National Police Agency regulations.
Taiwan People's Party founding chairman Ko Wen-je was sprayed with pepper spray during a campaign event in Taichung on April 17. Police investigation revealed that Chou Chun-ming, chief of the Sixth Precinct of Taichung City Police Bureau, was responsible for the accidental spray. The Sixth Precinct today issued a statement, expressing deep apology for causing discomfort and panic among the public at the scene.
Ko Wen-je was sprayed with pepper spray during a street canvassing event with party legislator candidate Liu Chin-Yu at Fengjia Night Market on the evening of April 17. Liu Chin-Yu filed a complaint for assault at the Sixth Precinct on the morning of April 18. Police investigation found that Precinct Chief Chou Chun-ming accidentally sprayed it during security duties, and Chou Chun-ming was subsequently relieved of his position and given a demerit.
The Sixth Precinct stated that after reviewing relevant footage and on-site conditions, the preliminary investigation has been completed, and the duty process is being reviewed. Liu Chin-Yu was informed and understood the situation, withdrawing her complaint on the morning of April 21. The precinct acknowledges that there is still room for improvement in command and on-site response, and has immediately reviewed and improved its procedures, strengthening relevant training and supervision mechanisms.
Taichung City Police Chief Wu Ching-Tien explained during a media interview at the city government that due to Chou Chun-ming's improper handling, which seriously damaged the police's reputation, he received a demerit according to regulations, and as a precinct chief, the punishment was heavier, resulting in two demerits. As for being reassigned, there were other disciplinary violations, not just the accidental pepper spray, and confessing only after 24 hours was also one of the reasons.
Chief Wu Ching-Tien stated that according to the National Police Agency regulations, pepper spray is a consumable item that can be disposed of by oneself after use. Chou Chun-ming might have thought it was used up and had no residue. According to video footage, Chou Chun-ming discarded it in a trash can at Fengjia Night Market around 10 PM that evening, and the police later seized it after 12 AM.
Chief Wu Ching-Tien pointed out that according to regulations, precinct chiefs do not necessarily need to carry pepper spray on duty. Chou Chun-ming proactively went to the police station to request it himself. Chou Chun-ming usually works very diligently, but his personal conduct led to wasted police resources, so this matter should be viewed separately: his individual diligence in duties was appropriate, but his behavior was inappropriate.
Regarding whether the punishment was too severe, Chief Wu Ching-Tien believed that Chou Chun-ming did not admit it immediately, and there were serious disciplinary violations, so the punishment was not too severe and was handled according to National Police Agency regulations.