Green Camp Demands Apology Over Ko Wen-je Pepper Spray Incident; Huang Kuo-chang: Don't Shift the Focus
Following findings that Ko Wen-je was accidentally pepper-sprayed by a police chief, the DPP demanded an apology from TPP's Huang Kuo-chang for early accusations. Huang retorted, asking the DPP not to shift focus and to reflect on Taiwan's political polarization.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 14:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 14:31 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 22:06 (7h 34m after Collected)
(CNA reporter Tsao Ya-yen, New Taipei, 22nd) Regarding the incident where former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je was accidentally pepper-sprayed by a police precinct director, the green camp (DPP) demanded that Huang Kuo-chang apologize for framing the Democratic Progressive Party. Huang Kuo-chang responded today that he had initially stated the matter should be handed over to the police for a thorough investigation, and asked the green camp to reflect on why Taiwan's polarization is so severe, urging them not to shift the focus.
Ko Wen-je was pepper-sprayed while street sweeping at the Fengchia Night Market in Taichung a few days ago, experiencing choking and coughing along with multiple volunteers. An investigation by the Taichung City Police Department found that Chou Chun-ming, the director of the Sixth Precinct of the city police department who was providing security, sprayed pepper spray toward the ground, which was then blown and scattered by the wind. Chou Chun-ming was subsequently removed from his post and given a demerit.
After the truth was uncovered, DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng pointed out that the TPP fiercely criticized the DPP and President Lai Ching-te before the investigation results were released, and asked TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang to apologize for the false accusations and smears.
After holding a policy press conference today, Huang Kuo-chang responded in an interview, saying the DPP should not build straw men and shift the focus of the issue. He said that his immediate response after the incident was to hand it over to the police for a proper investigation, to neither wrong the innocent nor let off the guilty, and he asked President Lai and the DPP to reflect carefully on why the phenomena of opposition and conflict in Taiwan are becoming increasingly severe.
In addition, regarding the obstruction by China of the President's visit to the diplomatic ally Eswatini, Huang Kuo-chang said that China's suppression of Taiwan's international diplomacy has never stopped, which is why the TPP issued a statement of condemnation immediately. Facing China's suppression of Taiwan's diplomatic space, naturally, regardless of party affiliation, there is unanimous condemnation, hoping China will not continue to do so.
Huang Kuo-chang then pointed out, but to suddenly say the day before the departure that the trip was canceled, 'this is truly unheard of.' He suggested there might be a need to understand whether there were any problems with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' relevant preliminary preparations, intelligence gathering, and response capabilities. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150422
Ko Wen-je was pepper-sprayed while street sweeping at the Fengchia Night Market in Taichung a few days ago, experiencing choking and coughing along with multiple volunteers. An investigation by the Taichung City Police Department found that Chou Chun-ming, the director of the Sixth Precinct of the city police department who was providing security, sprayed pepper spray toward the ground, which was then blown and scattered by the wind. Chou Chun-ming was subsequently removed from his post and given a demerit.
After the truth was uncovered, DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng pointed out that the TPP fiercely criticized the DPP and President Lai Ching-te before the investigation results were released, and asked TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang to apologize for the false accusations and smears.
After holding a policy press conference today, Huang Kuo-chang responded in an interview, saying the DPP should not build straw men and shift the focus of the issue. He said that his immediate response after the incident was to hand it over to the police for a proper investigation, to neither wrong the innocent nor let off the guilty, and he asked President Lai and the DPP to reflect carefully on why the phenomena of opposition and conflict in Taiwan are becoming increasingly severe.
In addition, regarding the obstruction by China of the President's visit to the diplomatic ally Eswatini, Huang Kuo-chang said that China's suppression of Taiwan's international diplomacy has never stopped, which is why the TPP issued a statement of condemnation immediately. Facing China's suppression of Taiwan's diplomatic space, naturally, regardless of party affiliation, there is unanimous condemnation, hoping China will not continue to do so.
Huang Kuo-chang then pointed out, but to suddenly say the day before the departure that the trip was canceled, 'this is truly unheard of.' He suggested there might be a need to understand whether there were any problems with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' relevant preliminary preparations, intelligence gathering, and response capabilities. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150422