According to court records, the Taiwan High Court on July 30, 2026, sentenced convicted repeat sex offender Li Ching-yen to 21 years and 6 months in prison for sexually abusing and harassing at least 12 young students at a go-playing classroom he ran in New Taipei City’s Tucheng District.
High Court Remand Sentence and Charges Against Li Ching-yen
The Taiwan High Court handed down the 21-and-a-half-year sentence during a remand trial on July 30, 2026. Investigators and prosecutors stated that Li previously served time for aggravated indecency and was released from prison in June 2014. Following his release, Li opened a go-playing classroom in his Tucheng District home, where he used teaching sessions to touch and kiss at least 12 children.
Surveillance Cameras and 64 Confiscated Sexual Images
Police discovered that Li installed surveillance cameras in his living room and classroom to record his offenses. According to the investigation, Li ordered victims to strip naked and forced them to face the camera lenses directly. Law enforcement officers ultimately seized 64 fixed-angle sexual video files from Li’s personal computer and memory cards, which served as core evidence in the prosecution.
Did You Know? During the initial trial at the New Taipei District Court, judges calculated a combined sentence exceeding 570 years across 64 separate counts before initially ruling on a 22-year prison term.
Judicial Proceedings and Prior Court Rulings
During the first-instance trial at the New Taipei District Court, Li admitted to acts of molestation and sexual harassment. However, Li defended his installation of cameras by claiming the lenses were meant to monitor sudden incidents inside the classroom rather than to satisfy personal desires. Court records show Li reached settlements with only two victimized families during the first trial, while the remaining ten families refused to offer forgiveness. Following the initial 22-year sentence, a subsequent high court appeal reduced the term to 21 years before the Supreme Court revoked that ruling and sent the case back for a remand trial.
Legal proceedings heavily weighed the recovered video data and the consistency of the victims’ statements against the defendant’s contested claims regarding surveillance equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Li Ching-yen’s current prison sentence?
The Taiwan High Court sentenced Li to 21 years and 6 months in prison during the July 30, 2026 remand trial, though the ruling remains subject to further appeal.
How many children were affected by the abuse?
Investigators identified at least 12 child victims who attended the go-playing classroom in Tucheng District.
How did authorities uncover the recorded evidence?
Police seized 64 video files from Li’s personal computer and memory cards after finding that he forced victims to strip naked in front of cameras installed in his home and classroom.
? How can communities better protect children in private educational settings following this case?