Ko Wen-je Returns to Detention After Successful Kidney Stone Surgery in Taiwan

Former Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je Reacclimates to Detention Following Medical Procedure.

New Taipei City, Taiwan – April 3rd: Former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) has returned to the Taipei Detention Center on Thursday, after undergoing kidney stone surgery a day prior. This marks a return to confinement for the 65-year-old former doctor-turned-politician.

Ko was seen leaving Taipei Hospital in a wheelchair, and detention center personnel transported him back to the facility located in Tucheng District, New Taipei City, on Thursday afternoon.

According to a statement released by the hospital in Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, the kidney stone operation was successful, and Ko was kept for observation for one day. The statement noted the removal of a kidney stone measuring 1 x 0.5 centimeters.

The hospital further revealed that Ko expressed a desire to be discharged around noon on Thursday and was provided with a three-day supply of antibiotics and medication. He is now back at the detention center.

Ko, who served as the former TPP chairman and a two-term Taipei mayor, has been detained on corruption allegations since September 2024. These charges stem from his tenure as Taipei mayor from 2018 to 2022, as well as during the 2024 presidential race.

Prior to entering politics, Ko worked at National Taiwan University Hospital and held a teaching position at the university's medical school. He won the Taipei mayoral race in 2014. He retired from the university in 2023 and ran as the TPP's presidential candidate in the January 13th elections of 2024, securing third place with over 26% of the total votes.