Prominent Taiwanese independence activist Koo Kwang-ming (辜寬敏) passed away on Monday at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. He was 97 years old.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) says she’s deeply saddened about his passing. She says Koo worked to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty, freedom, and democracy all of his life. Tsai sent her condolences to his family and said she hopes he rests in peace.
The Taiwan New Constitution Foundation says Koo worked over half a century for Taiwan to be treated as an independent country. He left Taiwan soon after the 228 Incident in 1947, when authorities cracked down on anti-government uprisings and killed civilians.
Koo later settled in Japan where he led the World United Formosans for Independence (WUFI) and demonstrations regarding the 228 Incident. In the 1990s, he joined the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and supported Peng Ming-min’s (彭明敏) presidential campaign.
Koo established several think tanks and associations including the Taiwan Brain Trust, New Taiwan Peace Foundation, and Taiwan New Constitution. He was also an advisor to former DPP President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and President Tsai.
The foundation says the details for Koo’s memorial service will be announced at a later date.