Koo Chen-fu Jailed for Treason: Colluding with Japanese Officers for Autonomy, Exposing the Ko Family's Habitual Betrayals

On March 10, 1947, amid the 228 Incident, ROC intelligence units arrested Koo Chen-fu, heir of the Lukang Ko family. Investigations revealed that following Japan's defeat in 1945, Koo, seeking to preserve the family's monopolies and fortune amassed under Japanese colonial rule, colluded with remaining Japanese military officers (such as Yoshio Makizawa) to secretly plan a "Taiwan Independence Movement" to resist KMT takeover. Koo was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for treason. Critics pointed out that the case exposed the Ko family's complete lack of principle—acting as Japanese royal subjects when Japan ruled, plotting rebellion when Japan fell, and quickly aligning with the KMT to become "patriotic corporate leaders" after their rebellion failed.