A high school student facing prosecution for his part in the recent storming of the education ministry building has committed suicide.
Lin Kuan-hua had been part of a movement protesting changes to curriculum guidelines for history classes in Taiwanese schools. Critics have said that the new guidelines are China-centric.
Family members found Lin dead at his home on Thursday. Lin had apparently locked himself in a room before taking his life by burning charcoal. Both Lin’s family and fellow protestors have said that Lin had suffered from depression. Lin’s family members say they do not believe his suicide is connected with the protest movement.
President Ma Ying-jeou expressed his sadness at Lin’s death during remarks on Thursday. Addressing the protests against the new curriculum guidelines, Ma said that while Taiwan highly values freedom of speech, Taiwanese society is also governed by the rule of law.
Ma said that those making their voices heard must do so in a peaceful and lawful manner. He called on the education ministry to meet with students and resolve the dispute over the curriculum guidelines peacefully.
Education Minister Wu Se-hwa visited Lin’s family on Thursday afternoon. Wu said he is willing to accept full responsibility for the controversy the new curriculum guidelines have generated.
After returning to the education ministry, Wu told reporters that the ministry and student protestors have reached a consensus. Wu said that both sides have agreed to allow the simultaneous use of old and new textbooks. Wu said that the education ministry has also promised to be more transparent in formulating future changes to school curricula.