A forum to commemorate the death 20 years ago of democracy movement pioneer Kuo Yu-hsin (
Chen said that Kuo's work in the past had laid the foundation for Taiwan's democracy, and the path he blazed should be followed by everyone today so that the nation's democracy can grow up strong and sturdy.
Kuo, 77, a prominent opposition leader of the tangwai (outside the ruling party) days, died on Aug. 2, 1985.
PHOTO: LO TEH-PEI, TAIPEI TIMES
OUTSPOKEN POLITICIAN
He spent the years 1949 to 1975 as a member of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly (
He was already well-known for his outspoken opposition to the lack of democracy and violations of human rights on the island under Japanese rule, prior to 1945.
Kuo's dedication was an inspiration to many in the democracy movement.
Believing that "democracy can't be established without party politics," Kuo, together with Lei Chen (
FORCED INTO EXILE
Kuo was forced to flee the island in 1977 after which he lived in the US, where he became active in organizing the overseas Taiwanese community in support of the establishment of democratic rule on Taiwan.
For several years he played a key role in bringing the lack of democracy and human rights in Taiwan to the world's attention.
"Although the China Democratic Party failed as a result of the KMT government's suppression, Kuo spread the seeds of democracy, fostering the establishment of the Democratic Progressive Party [DPP] in 1986," the president said.
DEDICATION PAYS OFF
The impact of Kuo's dedication to the process of Taiwan's democratization was not only in the Taiwan Provincial Assembly but also in the political development of Ilan County (宜蘭縣), where Kuo was born, said Hsueh Hua-yuen (薛化元), a history professor at National Chengchi University.
Hsueh said that many politicians in Ilan were closely related to Kuo, such as former DPP chairman Lin I-hsiung (
"Kuo had devoted himself in supporting other people to ensure the legacy of democracy, which is an important asset for Taiwan," Hsueh said.
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