DPP Seeks to Distance Itself From Organized Crime 趙介佑稱與黃承國不熟 外界解讀為綠營解套

Chao Chieh-yu, the son of former DPP Taipei City Chapter review committee convener Chao Ying-kuang, issued a statement on Dec. 21. The younger Chao, who has been sentenced to prison for fraud and drug trafficking, denied knowing DPP Central Standing Committee member Huang Cheng-kuo. This was viewed as an effort to distance the DPP from links to organized crime. DPP legislative by-election candidate Enoch Wu chimed in to say that Chao Chieh-yu has already been expelled from the party.

On Dec. 22, DPP legislative by-election candidate Enoch Wu canvassed for votes at an intersection along with a DPP legislator. On Dec. 21, Chao Chieh-yu, the son of former DPP Taipei City Chapter review committee convener Chao Ying-kuang who has been sentenced for fraud and drug trafficking, issued a statement claiming he does not know DPP Central Standing Committee member Huang Cheng-kuo. This was viewed as an effort to distance the DPP from links to organized crime.

Wang Hung-wei, Legislative By-election Candidate (KMT): “Does the DPP's inner circle have a problem with organized crime? If even William Lai spoke about it, then I think other DPP members can earnestly confront this issue.”

Enoch Wu, Legislative By-election Candidate (DPP): “The former member surnamed Chao currently needs to pay the fullest responsibility to society and the public because of his personal case, for his personal actions. We already followed our procedures in expelling him from the party. Whatever happens next is his personal problem.”

Wu was originally scheduled to make an appearance with Legislator Mark Ho, but the event was reportedly canceled at the last minute after Ho was named in Chao's statement. Wu had an explanation, saying the event wasn't going to be public anyway and it was decided after discussions that the best thing to do would be to cancel it. KMT candidate Wang Hung-wei continued inviting Wu to debate her, but Wu still didn't give a clear answer.

Enoch Wu, Legislative By-election Candidate (DPP): “Debates are about actual political views, specific viewpoints, and criticism. However, we have only seen drivel and abuse from Councilor Wang from the day she entered the race until today. This is the case, so what's the point of a debate? That's a simple question I'm asking all of you.”

Wang Hung-wei, Legislative By-election Candidate (KMT): “Debates are normal in elections, so if asking for a debate is drivel, then I think this violates the basic principles of democracy.”

Wang said she is cautiously optimistic about her chances and knows she cannot underestimate Wu. Wu said since he returned to Taiwan, he has spent all his time doing social work and promoting social resiliency, and he respects his opponent's thinking.

衝刺北市立委補選，民進黨吳怡農一早合體黨內立委賴品妤路口拜票，爭取選民支持，但民進黨北市黨部評委會前召集人趙映光之子趙介佑，涉詐欺販毒被判刑，21日發聲明強調自己與中常委黃承國不熟，被外界解讀是要替民進黨染黑風波解套。

王鴻薇表示：「現在民進黨內部，到底有沒有黑金的問題，那麼如果賴清德都提出來的話，我覺得其他民進黨的人，是不是也可以去認真面對這樣的問題。」

吳怡農認為：「趙姓前黨員他因為個人的案件，因為個人的行為，現在要向社會大眾付出最完全的責任，我們已經依照我們的程序，開除了他的黨籍，那接下來的事情是他個人的問題了。」

原訂和立委何志偉同台行程卻臨時取消，被質疑是因被趙介佑點名，但吳怡農回應，本來就是不公開的活動，經過討論後覺得先取消是最好的安排；針對近日王鴻薇頻頻下辯論戰帖，吳怡農仍未表態接招。

吳怡農回應：「辯論是針對實質的政見，有具體的主張跟批評，我們從王議員身上，從選舉到今天看到的，就只有口水跟謾罵，這樣子有什麼意義嗎，我只問大家這麼簡單的一個問題。」

王鴻薇則表示：「辯論這真的是一個選舉的常態，所以如果說要辯論是口水的話，我覺得這根本違反民主的基本常識。」

立委補選倒數計時，王鴻薇指出對選情審慎樂觀，但也不能小看吳怡農，吳怡農表示，回國後就一直投入社會工作、提升社會韌性，尊重對手想法。