The education ministry said on Monday that it will sue students for storming the ministry last Thursday night. The students and others were protesting a change to the high school history curriculum which they believe will become China-centric.
The ministry said they warned the students of their illegal behavior several times before they decided to sue them. This includes the throwing of bags of paint in the ministry and damaging the ministry’s iron gate. But it said their breaking an entry into the ministry and damaging public property on July 23 has disrupted social order and should be dealt with according to the law.
Deputy minister of education Chen Der-hwa said the ministry would like to understand what drove the students’ behavior:
"We hope to understand what these students are thinking, perhaps through their school or teachers. If necessary, we are also willing to talk with them in person to understand their motives," said Chen. "If their motives were pure and they express some goodwill regarding their reckless behavior, we will ask the prosecutors to be lenient with them."
The ministry said that Taiwan is governed by the rule of law. It also hopes to see rational dialogue regarding the issue of history curriculum changes.