Former Legislator Lin Kuo-cheng Pleads Mistake Not Guilt, Taipei Court Sentences 20 Days Detention for Insulting President
Former Taiwanese legislator Lin Kuo-cheng was sentenced to 20 days detention by the Taipei District Court for publicly insulting President Lai Ching-te. Lin admitted to making a mistake but pleaded not guilty, arguing his comments were about public issues.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 16:19
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Central News
(Central News Agency reporter Hsieh Chun-lin Taipei 5th report) Former Taiwan People's Party legislator Lin Kuo-cheng was accused of verbally abusing President Lai Ching-te and was indicted by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office. During the recent trial at the Taipei District Court, Lin admitted to making a mistake but pleaded not guilty, stating that he was commenting on public issues, not President Lai. The Taipei District Court today sentenced Lin to 20 days detention, which can be commuted to a fine.
In July last year, the Taiwan People's Party held an assembly in front of the Democratic Progressive Party's central headquarters. Lin Kuo-cheng, then a legislator of the Taiwan People's Party, allegedly verbally abused President Lai. President Lai filed a complaint. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Lin Kuo-cheng on February 12 this year for public insult under the Criminal Code and requested a severe sentence from the court.
When the Taipei District Court heard the case on April 7, Lin Kuo-cheng pleaded not guilty, not denying what he had said, but arguing that he was emotional because he saw the difficulty of disaster victims rebuilding their homes after a typhoon, and that the government's actions were unfair to them. In addition, when he was on stage that day, some people in the audience were cursing, and he lost control of his emotions and blurted out. However, after the first sentence, he claimed he was saying "打領帶" (tie a tie) in Taiwanese, not insulting President Lai.
Regarding this case, the Taipei District Court today afternoon handed down its first-instance judgment, sentencing Lin Kuo-cheng to 20 days detention for public insult. If commuted to a fine, it will be calculated at NT$1,000 per day. This case can be appealed. The Taipei District Court has not yet explained the facts recognized in the judgment and the reasons for sentencing. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Hsieh Chun-lin Taipei 5th report) Former Taiwan People's Party legislator Lin Kuo-cheng was accused of verbally abusing President Lai Ching-te and was indicted by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office. During the recent trial at the Taipei District Court, Lin admitted to making a mistake but pleaded not guilty, stating that he was commenting on public issues, not President Lai. The Taipei District Court today sentenced Lin to 20 days detention, which can be commuted to a fine.
In July last year, the Taiwan People's Party held an assembly in front of the Democratic Progressive Party's central headquarters. Lin Kuo-cheng, then a legislator of the Taiwan People's Party, allegedly verbally abused President Lai. President Lai filed a complaint. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Lin Kuo-cheng on February 12 this year for public insult under the Criminal Code and requested a severe sentence from the court.
When the Taipei District Court heard the case on April 7, Lin Kuo-cheng pleaded not guilty, not denying what he had said, but arguing that he was emotional because he saw the difficulty of disaster victims rebuilding their homes after a typhoon, and that the government's actions were unfair to them. In addition, when he was on stage that day, some people in the audience were cursing, and he lost control of his emotions and blurted out. However, after the first sentence, he claimed he was saying "打領帶" (tie a tie) in Taiwanese, not insulting President Lai.
Regarding this case, the Taipei District Court today afternoon handed down its first-instance judgment, sentencing Lin Kuo-cheng to 20 days detention for public insult. If commuted to a fine, it will be calculated at NT$1,000 per day. This case can be appealed. The Taipei District Court has not yet explained the facts recognized in the judgment and the reasons for sentencing. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150505
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.