Court rejects Ko’s request to fly to Japan for son’s graduationStaff writer, with CNAThe Taipei District Court yesterday rejected a request by former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) for a short exemption from his travel ban to attend his son’s graduation ceremony in Japan, deeming the trip unnecessary. The court noted in its ruling that Ko’s presence is not essential for the graduation to take place and that his absence would not prevent his son from successfully obtaining his degree. Through his lawyer, Ko last Monday filed a request with the court to allow him to visit Japan from March 23-25 to attend his son’s doctoral graduation ceremony at the University of Tokyo, a move Taipei prosecutors opposed. After receiving Ko’s request to travel to Japan, the court sought opinions from prosecutors, who argued that Ko had not presented a concrete plan to ensure he would not flee or collude with co-defendants, according to the court. The Taipei District Court completed all trial proceedings in the two cases at the end of last year and is scheduled to announce its verdict on March 26.

Source: Taipei Times March 17, 2026 17:11 UTC