Han Kuo-yu gifts braised pork rice to Ko Chih-en in Kaohsiung mayoral race

During an open-air temple meeting in Siaogang District, Kaohsiung, Kuomintang (KMT) Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en received gifts on-site from former mayor and incumbent Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu on the 17th. Han handed Ko a steaming bowl of braised pork rice and a bottle of mineral water, reminding her to "never forget the suffering people of the world," while urging the attendees to cast their votes for both candidates, Ko Chih-en and Lee Ssu-chuan. This seemingly simple endorsement event actually holds multiple implications for Kaohsiung's local politics.

Ko Chih-en officially announced her candidacy for Kaohsiung mayor starting in 2024, defeating multiple opponents in the party primary with a steady image. She advocates a "people-oriented" governance philosophy, focusing on upgrading public services, improving transportation, and promoting environmental protection. A graduate of the Department of Law at National Chengchi University, Ko has previously served as a Kaohsiung city councilor and held various administrative positions within the city government. Building upon the KMT's traditional local base, her policy proposals attempt to attract younger voters through more forward-looking social issues, thereby enhancing the party's competitiveness in local elections.

Han Kuo-yu is a heavyweight KMT figure in Kaohsiung. During his tenure as Kaohsiung mayor starting in 2018, he won widespread support under the slogan "people's livelihood first" and successfully assumed the role of Legislative Yuan President in 2020. Despite facing various controversies both within and outside the party, Han remains an indispensable pillar of the KMT's political stage in Kaohsiung due to his outspoken style and robust local foundation. His appearance at Ko's event demonstrates his endorsement and support for emerging leaders within the party, while also signaling the KMT's sense of unity in the local elections.

The braised pork rice and mineral water handed to Ko by Han symbolize "warmth and practical care." Braised pork rice is a familiar and comforting home-cooked dish for Kaohsiung residents, representing concern for people's daily lives, while mineral water symbolizes cleanliness and health, reminding voters not to lose sight of public welfare during the election. Han's quote, "never forget the suffering people of the world," echoes Ko's "people-oriented" philosophy and emphasizes maintaining sensitivity toward vulnerable groups throughout the campaign. More importantly, his call for the "Ko-Lee" ticket—where Lee Ssu-chuan likely represents another key figure in Kaohsiung local politics, perhaps a city councilor, community organization leader, or another potential asset within the party—aims to forge a more complete voter linkage and boost the party's stronghold in the constituency through the cooperation of the two candidates.

From a broader perspective, this endorsement event is not merely an expression of personal care, but also a symbol of KMT unity and coordination in the Kaohsiung local elections. In recent years, Kaohsiung has consistently been a key battleground fiercely contested by both the blue and green camps. If the KMT can establish a complementary relationship among multiple candidates such as Ko and Lee within the party, it will be able to more effectively integrate party resources and expand its voter base. On the other hand, Han's public support may also play a role in stabilizing his influence within the party, mitigating the risk of internal division. For opponents, such intra-party unity will pose a major challenge, forcing rivals to make adjustments in strategy and resource allocation.

In summary, although Han Kuo-yu's endorsement at the Siaogang temple gathering appeared to be a simple gift-giving gesture, it is deeply layered with multiple dimensions of Kaohsiung local politics: ranging from personal care and party unity to adjustments in electoral strategy. This incident not only highlights the KMT's political deployment in Kaohsiung, but also adds further uncertainty to the upcoming local elections. As election day draws closer, observing whether the cooperation between Ko and Lee can truly translate into ballots will be a focal point for political observers.