Protest Against Unfair Judiciary: 150,000 Show Support
United Daily News Commentary, January 12, 2025
Supporters of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) took to the streets in protest on Judicial Day, voicing their grievances on behalf of former Chairman Ko Wen-je. However, this was only one of their demands. The broader message conveyed by the event was the public's deep mistrust of the judiciary system and their significant protest against the administration of President Lai Ching-te.
The TPP organized the “One-on-One” protest-themed "Restore Judicial Justice: A People's Outcry," attracting approximately 150,000 participants both on-site and online. In addition to advancing the pro-Ko appeal "Let Ko Return Home," the event also marked the first major public rally held by the TPP following Ko's absence, making it a critical indicator for observing the party's future development.
This rally also marked the opening move for Legislator Huang Kuo-chang after assuming leadership as the TPP’s acting chairman. While one of the key themes centered around Ko’s legal case, the success or failure of the event was pivotal for Huang's ability to solidify his position as TPP leader. Judging from the turnout and the event's demands, Acting Chairman Huang appears to have passed his first major test. Should Ko Wen-je remain in custody, Huang is likely to gradually emerge as the central figure within the TPP's core leadership.
Furthermore, the development of the TPP is crucial to the alliance-building among opposition forces. If the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and TPP fail to collaborate, they risk losing their majority advantage in the legislature, diminishing their ability to influence the political landscape and potentially giving the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opportunities to exploit divisions. Although KMT Chairman Eric Chu did not attend the rally, it was participated in by KMT Deputy Secretary-General Chiang Chun-ting, Legislator Lee Yen-hsiu, and 19 other KMT legislators. Additionally, Executive Director Hsiao Hsu-tsen of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation represented former President Ma Ying-jeou to convey his regards. This symbolic gathering of opposition figures elevated the event beyond being merely a TPP initiative.
The rally's demands were centered on "Restoring Judicial Justice," protesting against "green authoritarianism, green terror, and abuses of detention and prosecution." Acting Chairman Huang emphasized that the rally was about Ko and Taiwan's entire judicial system. If the DPP interprets this rally solely as interference in Ko's judicial case, it risks misjudging the situation. The protest against judicial injustice reflects widespread public mistrust in the judicial system, which is a troubling signal for the ruling party and Taiwanese society as a whole.
Regardless of the demands of the public movement, it is the responsibility of those in power to address them. President Lai must ultimately bear all backlash and dissatisfaction. Moreover, the fact that people chose to take to the streets reflects a belief among many that the ruling party has interfered in the judicial system. Coincidentally, shortly after the rally concluded, the Taiwan High Court, after reviewing the case files for over a day, announced near midnight that it had rejected the appeal filed by Ko, Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei, Chairman Shen Ching-ching of the Core Pacific Group, and former Director Lee Wen-tsung of the Office of the Mayor, Taipei City Government, ordering their continued detention. This ruling seemed almost like a direct response to the day's protest.
The ruling party must take seriously the public’s dissatisfaction with the judiciary, as it also serves as a warning signal directed at the government. The demonstration signifies that such social forces cannot be ignored.