Ko Wen-je

Ko Wen-je is a Taiwanese politician, physician, and transplant surgeon. Born on August 6, 1959, in Hsinchu City, he is best known as the founder of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) and the 13th mayor of Taipei, serving from 2014 to 2022. As a medical professional, Ko earned a doctorate from National Taiwan University in 2002, became a leading surgeon at National Taiwan University Hospital, and taught as a professor at the NTU College of Medicine. He played a key role in standardizing organ transplant procedures in Taiwan and pioneered the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for critical care, earning him the nickname "Ko P" (Professor Ko).

Ko's political career has been defined by his plain-spoken style and anti-establishment appeal. After winning the 2014 Taipei mayoral election as an independent, he was re-elected in 2018. He founded the TPP in 2019 and ran for president in 2024, finishing third. His career was upended in August 2024 when he was detained over a property development case, leading to a corruption conviction in March 2026. Sentenced to 17 years in prison, he is currently out on bail and appealing the verdict. Ko remains a polarizing figure, with supporters viewing him as a victim of political persecution and critics pointing to the court's findings. [edit]

Ko Wen-je was born in Hsinchu City, Taiwan, to a family of educators. He attended Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School, one of the island's most prestigious schools, before entering National Taiwan University (NTU), where he earned his medical degree. He later obtained a doctorate from NTU in 2002, specializing in intensive care medicine.

At National Taiwan University Hospital, Ko became a surgeon and professor, focusing on organ transplantation and critical care. He was instrumental in standardizing organ transplant procedures in Taiwan and was a pioneer in using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a technology that keeps patients alive when their heart and lungs fail. His work earned him the nickname "Ko P" (Professor Ko), and his frequent media appearances as a sharp-tongued social and political commentator made him a familiar public figure long before he entered politics.

Before his political breakthrough, Ko had no party affiliation and was known primarily for his medical expertise and outspoken commentary. His decision to run for mayor in 2014 as an independent was seen as a long shot, but his campaign tapped into widespread frustration with the two-party system, setting the stage for his upset victory. [edit]

Ko Wen-je's political breakthrough came in 2014 when he ran for mayor of Taipei as an independent. His campaign shocked the establishment by defeating Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Sean Lien, making him the city's first independent mayor. He was re-elected in 2018, serving two full terms until 2022.

In 2019, Ko founded the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), positioning it as a "third way" between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the KMT. He served as the party's first chairman until 2025. After stepping down as mayor, he ran for president in 2024 as the TPP nominee, with Cynthia Wu as his running mate. He finished third behind Hou Yu-ih and Lai Ching-te.

Ko's political career took a dramatic turn in August 2024 when prosecutors detained him over a property development project from his mayoralty. In December 2024, he was indicted on bribery and corruption charges. He remained in detention until September 2025, when he was released on bail of NT$70 million (US$2.32 million). On March 26, 2026, the Taipei District Court found him guilty of corruption and misuse of political donations, sentencing him to 17 years in prison and stripping him of civil rights for six years. He is currently out on bail under electronic bracelet monitoring, with an appeal hearing scheduled for September 8, 2026. He has publicly declared, "I will not yield," vowing to fight the conviction. [edit]

Ko Wen-je's public image is that of a plain-spoken, anti-establishment figure who appeals to voters frustrated with the traditional two-party system. His signature style includes casual dress, direct language, and a willingness to criticize both major parties. His supporters, often referred to as "Ko fans" or "Ko P supporters," are known for their fervent loyalty and have organized large protests during his detention and conviction. His social media voice is informal, direct, and often combative. The TPP serves as his political vehicle, and his fandom culture includes mass rallies, online activism, and a strong presence in Taiwanese youth demographics. [edit]

Ko Wen-je commands a fiercely loyal political base known simply as 'Ko P supporters,' a group defined by their fervent defense of the former mayor rather than the ritualistic adoration typical of pop idols. His followers organized massive protests during his legal battles, yet no formal fandom name exists to unify these fans under a single banner like those found in entertainment. This is a movement driven by political ideology and anti-establishment sentiment, not by merchandise sales or fan-funded billboards. The audience operates through social media handles and street demonstrations, reacting to governance and legal outcomes rather than celebrity appearances. In August 2026, iFANN evaluated Ko Wen-je's global standing and determined that he currently holds no placement in the published rankings. He is not ranked within the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. While his influence once reshaped Taipei's political landscape, the absence of a numeric rank reflects his status outside the current tiered hierarchy of global fame. The scale of his impact remains significant regionally, but globally, his trajectory has shifted from a celebrated outsider to a convicted figure, altering how his name resonates across international borders. His story serves as a stark case study in the volatility of public figures who rise on promises of reform only to fall into the depths of legal consequence.[edit]

Ko Wen-je earned the nickname 'Ko P' as a nod to his title as a professor, reflecting his deep roots in medicine before entering politics. He pioneered the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in Taiwan, a critical technology that sustains patients when heart and lungs fail. In 2014, he achieved a historic victory as the first independent mayor of Taipei, shattering the decades-long dominance of the KMT and DPP parties. As the founder of the Taiwan People's Party, he established Taiwan's third-largest political force with seats in the Legislative Yuan. The defining legend of his later life centers on his dramatic downfall in March 2026. After years of promising transparency, a court sentenced him to 17 years in prison for bribery and corruption related to his second term as mayor. This event sent shockwaves across Taiwan, dominating global headlines and fracturing his once-unified support base. The narrative of a doctor who promised change only to be jailed for graft has become the central story told about him, marking a sharp transition from political hero to convicted criminal.[edit]

Ko Wen-je is married to Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), a physician. The couple has two children: a son, Ko Fu-yao, and a daughter, Ko Hsin-ying. Ko's marriage to Peggy Chen has been his only publicly known relationship, with no documented affairs or prior marriages. His legal troubles have not affected his marital status, and as of 2026, he remains married to Peggy Chen. [edit]

Peggy Chen (wife, physician), Cynthia Wu (running mate in 2024 presidential election), Sean Lien (KMT opponent defeated in 2014 mayoral election), Hou Yu-ih (KMT presidential candidate who finished second in 2024), Lai Ching-te (DPP presidential candidate who won the 2024 election). [edit]

Ko Wen-je has been married to Peggy Chen, a physician, for decades. The couple has two children: a son, Ko Fu-yao, and a daughter, Ko Hsin-ying. There are no documented dating histories, affairs, or prior marriages reported in credible sources. As of 2026, Ko remains married to Peggy Chen; there is no report of separation or divorce. His legal troubles have not affected his marital status. [edit]

As of 2026, no credible net worth estimate for Ko Wen-je is publicly available. iFANN's editorial research traces his income sources to his tenure as a medical professor, his salary as mayor, and activities tied to his political party. The ongoing legal battles surrounding him have likely strained household finances. His wife Peggy Chen remains a practicing physician, yet their combined household income stays undisclosed.[edit]