TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Political commentator and translator Lucifer Chu (朱學恒) reported early to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office on Friday to serve an 11-month prison sentence that was to start on Feb. 4.
In one of the first indictments of a political “MeToo” case, the Taiwan High Court handed Chu an 11-month prison sentence in November for indecent assault, per CNA. Taipei City Councilor Chung Pei-chun (鍾沛君) in June 2023 revealed that Chu sexually harassed her on two occasions.
Prosecutors determined after an investigation that Chu forcibly kissed her twice at a Taipei restaurant in August 2022. The Taipei councilor said that during the investigation and trial, Chu had "no remorse.”
The court refused to grant probation, saying Chu had not acknowledged the impact of his actions and initially pleaded not guilty at the district court. In addition, his comments about Chung during a TV program while the trial was underway showed a lack of remorse for the harm he caused Chung by assaulting her, the statement said.
At the High Court, Chu finally pleaded guilty. He admitted his subsequent actions and remarks on social media had caused the victim further distress.
Chung called Chu’s actions before the trial "performative" and meant to impress the judge. She said she had told Chu a settlement could be reached only if he offered a sincere apology.