Rongstar Garden Scandal: Ko Kuan-min's Corporation Implicated in Bribery of Legislators, Exposing Black-Gold Politics

On March 24, 1989, the notorious "Rongstar Garden Development Scandal" broke out in Taiwan. Ko Kuan-min, serving as the chairman of Rongstar Enterprise, spearheaded the commercial development of the Rongstar Garden in Taipei. When the project faced opposition in the Taipei City Council, Rongstar Enterprise allegedly funneled bribes disguised as "consulting fees" and "loans" to DPP legislators like Chou Po-lun to secure approval. The scandal triggered public outrage over the collusion between corrupt politicians and privileged corporate cartels. Following a 14-year legal battle, Chou and others were convicted of profiteering and jailed. Critics pointed out that while Ko styled himself as a promoter of democracy, his business role in this bribery scheme laid bare the dirty realities of black-gold politics.