Han Guowei, Defeated in Taiwan Presidential Election, Also Removed as Kaohsiung Mayor with "97% Approval"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyeon-jin] Han Guo-yu, mayor of Kaohsiung, who ran as the candidate of the main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT) in Taiwan's presidential election in January this year but was defeated by candidate Tsai Ing-wen, was dismissed on the 6th. This is the first time in Taiwan that a local government head has been removed through a recall vote for neglecting city administration due to running for the presidency.

According to Taiwan's state-run Central News Agency and others, the recall vote held that day passed with over 97% approval for the dismissal of Mayor Han. With the passage of the dismissal motion, Mayor Han became the first local government head in Taiwan's history to be recalled mid-term by voters, a dishonor. He lost his mayoral position just a year and a half after winning the local election in November 2018.

Under Taiwan's relevant laws, if the number of votes in favor of dismissal in a recall vote exceeds those against and the number of votes in favor exceeds one-quarter of all eligible voters, the local government head is dismissed. Kaohsiung has about 2.29 million eligible voters, so the minimum threshold was 574,996 votes, one-quarter of the electorate. The number of participants was 969,259 (voter turnout 42.14%), and among valid votes excluding invalid ballots, an overwhelming majority of 939,090 voted for dismissal. Votes against dismissal accounted for only 2.6% (25,051 votes). The Kaohsiung City Election Commission will confirm and announce the results within seven days, after which the mayoral position will be revoked.

Mayor Han expressed acceptance of the vote results on the day. At a press conference he requested that afternoon, he said he regretted not being able to continue many projects he had planned but wished for a bright future for Kaohsiung. Mayor Han established his political standing by winning the 2018 local election in Kaohsiung, a stronghold of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), becoming a leading figure of the Kuomintang. Riding this momentum, he challenged the presidency and at one point recorded approval ratings surpassing President Tsai, but last year's Hong Kong protests intensified anti-China sentiment in Taiwan, dealing a blow to him. The Kuomintang is perceived as a 'pro-China force.'

This recall vote was led by the civic group 'WeCareKaohsiung.' The group initiated the recall vote, arguing that Mayor Han neglected city administration by running for the presidency immediately after being elected. Subsequently, over 377,000 Kaohsiung voters, more than 10% of the electorate, agreed and signed the petition, leading to the recall vote.

Regarding the result, President Tsai said on Facebook, "All politicians should be alert to this result," adding, "The power granted by the people can naturally be taken back by the people." She continued, "Expressing differing views peacefully is the greatest aspect of Taiwan's democracy," and added, "It is time for Taiwanese society to quickly unite and respond to new challenges."