Taipei: The ailing father of former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je died Monday, his family has confirmed. Ko Cheng-fa, who was in his 90s, had been critically ill over the past month and was hospitalized at National Taiwan University Hospital's Hsinchu branch.

According to Focus Taiwan, Ko Wen-je, who is currently in detention on corruption charges, was allowed to visit his father Sunday morning after his father's condition reportedly worsened. Ko Wen-je was escorted by prison guards to the hospital and returned to the Taipei Detention Center at 3:22 a.m. Sunday, as confirmed by officials there.

Ko's father had been in critical condition in the days leading up to his death and was no longer able to eat, local media reported earlier. This assessment was made by Ko Wen-je's mother, who had been informed by doctors. On Monday, both the hospital and Ko's family confirmed his passing.

Ko Wen-je, 65, was the TPP's presidential candidate in the 2024 election. He was indicted on December 26, 2024, on bribery and other corruption charges related to real estate dealings during his second term as Taipei mayor, which began in 2018. Additionally, he was charged with embezzling political donations made to the TPP during the 2024 presidential election campaign, leading to his resignation as TPP chairman in January.

Following his father's death, the Taipei Detention Center stated that Ko Wen-je is legally allowed to apply for a home visit. However, they declined to disclose whether he had submitted such an application.