Can Ko-P repeat his miracle win? Dr Ko Wen-je was famous long before he became mayor of Taipei

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (centre) posing for a group photo at a campaign event with grassroots supporters in Taipei on Nov 7.
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (centre) posing for a group photo at a campaign event with grassroots supporters in Taipei on Nov 7. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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TAIPEI • Dr Ko Wen-je, an outspoken transplant and ER surgeon, was famous in Taiwan long before he became mayor of its capital city in his first foray into politics.

He is credited with importing into Taiwan in the 1990s the Ecmo technology which boosted organ transplant success rates. In 2010, he directed the emergency care team that treated former vice-president Lien Chan's son Sean after he was shot in the face at an election rally.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 19, 2018, with the headline Can Ko-P repeat his miracle win? Dr Ko Wen-je was famous long before he became mayor of Taipei . Subscribe