By KHT Staff. AI-generated illustration based on a TVBS reference image.
KAOHSIUNG — Former Kaohsiung Animal Protection Office (高雄市動物保護處) director Yeh Kun-sung (葉坤松) was indicted Nov. 5 on charges that he helped a business obtain an animal exhibition permit and accepted meals and hostess-club entertainment from its operator.
Five people were indicted in the case. Prosecutors allege the permit arrangements enabled the business to collect more than NT$2 million in illicit ticket revenue, according to United Daily News. That figure concerns the operator’s alleged benefit, rather than money paid to Yeh.
According to TVBS’s report on the indictment, an operator surnamed Su (蘇) approached Yeh in August 2024 for help obtaining the permit. Prosecutors allege Yeh disclosed a confidential list of review committee members and, at Su’s request, selected a veterinary professor surnamed Wu (吳) to serve on the panel.
Wu allegedly accepted NT$90,000 from Su to prepare the business’s operating plan, then participated in the review and recommended approving the permit.
Prosecutors also allege Su repeatedly treated Yeh to private meals and visits to clubs with female hostesses.
The investigation extended to the office’s handling of inspections and paperwork. A section chief surnamed Lin (林) allegedly warned the operator before an inspection, allowing problems to be corrected before inspectors arrived. Other employees allegedly marked application documents as complete despite missing material.
Lin and four technical employees received deferred prosecution. TVBS reported that prosecutors cited their admissions, cooperation, and comparatively minor involvement. Deferred prosecution is separate from a court conviction.
Yeh faces charges involving unlawfully benefiting a business, accepting improper benefits connected with his duties, and disclosing official secrets. The allegations have yet to be decided in court.
The city government removed Yeh from his supervisory position and reassigned him as an adviser in February. It has said it is cooperating with investigators and pursuing administrative discipline.
