Ko Wen-je denies violating administrative neutrality, claims fireworks visit had no political intent.

The Hsinchu City Government recently hosted a fireworks event that drew large crowds of spectators. Ko Wen-je, founding chairman of the Taiwan People's Party, also attended the event last night. Although he was accused of potentially violating administrative neutrality, he clarified today that his actions had no political promotional intent whatsoever.

Ko stated that he went to see the fireworks because members of the public requested photos with him, and he attended the event to accommodate their requests. However, some individuals perceived the event as political promotion by Ko, leading to allegations that his actions may have breached administrative neutrality.

Administrative neutrality is a fundamental principle for public agencies, which are required to remain neutral and refrain from participating in any political activities or propaganda. Nevertheless, Ko maintained that he had no intention of engaging in political promotion. He said he was simply an ordinary citizen who went to watch the fireworks and take photographs, completely devoid of any political agenda.

The incident has attracted widespread attention, including from political scholars and experts who view it as holding significant implications for the definition and practice of administrative neutrality. Some observers believe that while Ko's actions did not involve explicit political propaganda, they could still be perceived as subtle political promotion and might even influence voters' choices.

Nonetheless, Ko insisted that his actions carried zero political promotional intent, reiterating that he was merely an ordinary citizen attending the fireworks display to take photos with people. The incident has sparked extensive discussions regarding the definition and implementation of administrative neutrality, and it could potentially impact future election outcomes.

In response to the incident, the Hsinchu City Government also issued a statement clarifying that it did not participate in any political promotion for Ko, nor did it violate the principles of administrative neutrality. However, Ko's actions continue to draw considerable public attention and debate concerning the definition and practice of administrative neutrality.

Within the political sphere, administrative neutrality is a vital principle, dictating that public institutions remain impartial and abstain from all political activities or propaganda. Yet, Ko's actions have raised questions among many as to whether the definition and practice of administrative neutrality were compromised by his conduct.

The incident has further fueled discussions over whether Ko's political intentions and actions align with the principle of administrative neutrality. Even so, Ko maintained that he harbored no intent to conduct political propaganda, emphasizing that he was just a private citizen who went to watch the fireworks and pose for photographs.

Amid the ongoing controversy, the Hsinchu City Government reiterated in its statement that it was not involved in Ko's political promotion and had not breached the principles of administrative neutrality. Nonetheless, Ko's conduct continues to provoke widespread concern and discussion regarding whether the definition and practice of administrative neutrality were undermined by his actions.

Source of facts: Central News Agency