Taipei Times
Date: Jul 09, 2018
By: Lee I-chia / Staff reporter
The death penalty is supported by the majority of the public in Taiwan and is deeply
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, left, attends a religious event held by the Global Buddhism Right Heart Association in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
rooted in Chinese culture, so there should be a mechanism to implement life imprisonment if the death penalty were to be abolished, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said at a religious event yesterday.
The execution of seven people on death row in Japan last week once again stirred up debate about capital punishment in Taiwan — and with several dismemberment cases that shocked the nation last month, politicians were asked about their thoughts on the death penalty.
“I like to study statistics and there is only one public issue in Taiwan that has overwhelming support from the public: More than 85 percent of the public is in favor of keeping the death penalty,” Ko said.
The death penalty is part of Chinese history, and Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty promised his subjects to put murderers to death when he overthrew the Qin Dynasty, Ko said. [FULL STORY]
