Taiwan's People Party founder Ko Wen-je is back on the campaign trail in Kaohsiung even as his corruption case grinds on, a mixed picture for a party trying to stay relevant in local politics.

• Ko joined Lin Yu-kai as he registered to run for city council in Kaohsiung, the party's only nominee there.
• The second trial in the Core Pacific City land case opens on the 8th; Ko brushed off questions by saying he tries to take each day as it comes.
• He spent a year in detention and now faces a steady stream of court dates and government seizure orders, including a move to freeze the NT$70 million posted for his bail.
• Party chairman Huang Kuo-chang has been backing the KMT's Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en, and Ko Wen-je said he is willing to help too.
• Lin is running on labor rights, support for small families, and traffic safety, and says he has visited 150 households so far.

Outlook: The court hearing on the 8th will set the tone for how much Ko can campaign before the local elections.