Stories from Kaohsiung · Taiwan

Police in Taiwan have detained a man residing in Taoyuan in connection with a false social media report regarding potato product poisoning. The rumors, which circulated via images on Facebook, caused public panic regarding mass hospitalizations. Authorities identified and questioned the suspect on Monday. Premier Cho Jung-tai and Agriculture Minister Chen Chun-jai denied the claims, stating the specific products mentioned were not involved in such an incident. Officials criticized the spread of online rumors over government information. The investigation is ongoing to determine the validity of the claims.

Kaohsiung Police Chief Zhao Ruihua stated on Tuesday that the department will not protect any officers involved in misconduct. An officer with a two-star, three-stripe rank is accused of sexually harassing a female officer in October 2025. The officer has been transferred to a non-supervisory position in a different district. Zhao said that the investigation will continue without leniency. The measures include administrative restructuring, holding relevant personnel accountable, and reassigning individuals to non-managerial roles. The entire case is being transferred to the disciplinary court. The officer involved, who was scheduled to retire on July 16, will no longer be able to apply for early retirement in June. Authorities have decided to adjust the officer's role to a non-managerial position.

The Kaohsiung City Education Bureau is investigating reports of a child being threatened at a school. Officials are currently working to clarify the circumstances of the event and are providing classroom-based opportunity education to students. The bureau confirmed it received information via social media and has issued a school safety report. Administrative teams have intervened to track the student's status and implement follow-up measures. Local authorities are currently monitoring the impact on the student body. The incident has prompted questions regarding the oversight capabilities of the Kaohsiung Mayor and the local education bureau.

Kaohsiung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has been actively campaigning, appearing at events in New Taipei and Kaohsiung to support Ko Chih-en. Kaohsiung Mayor Hou Yu-ih has increased her political activities, campaigning for Ko Chih-en in Kaohsiung. She has also visited New Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Hsinchu. Hou Yu-ih is demonstrating her ambition for re-election in 2026. The KMT and TPP are coordinating in other areas. A commentator named Fang Lun believes that current legislators from across Taiwan are merely pretending to be active in politics. The ruling party, DPP, is accused of misinterpreting and misusing constitutional articles. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan has nominated Shen Po-yang to the top position on its non-constituent legislator list.

Ko Chih-en, a Kuomintang candidate for Kaohsiung mayor, announced his first set of labor policies. The plan includes making wage levels a necessary condition for companies to receive municipal resources, rather than focusing solely on investment scale. Politician Ke Chih-en proposed an upgrade to the Kaohsiung Labor Rights Fund, with a target completion date of 2030. Candidate Ke Chih-en proposed upgrading the Kaohsiung Labor Rights Fund to support atypical workers, including delivery drivers, dispatched workers, and annual contract employees. The fund's principal has remained at 550 million TWD since the merger of the county and city. These workers often lack recourse when injured or unpaid due to harsh labor environments.

Heavy rainfall in Kaohsiung has begun to relieve drought conditions across central and southern Taiwan. The Irrigation Agency reported that water shortages persisting since December last year are easing due to the arrival of spring rains.