President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) traveled to Kaohsiung on the 79th anniversary of the 228 Incident to attend a memorial ceremony, where he expressed his hope that Taiwanese people will stand united across generations to ensure that Taiwan’s democracy never backtracks.

The ceremony took place at the plaza in front of the Kaohsiung Museum of History. The president was joined by Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳), Culture Minister Li Yuan (李遠), and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁).

In his remarks, Lai said that the National Security Bureau (NSB) has fully declassified more than 50,000 political files from the martial law period since he took office. Combined with files transferred since the NSB began the review process in 2000, the number of political files handed over to the National Archives Administration under the National Development Council now exceeds 140,000. 

Although files related to the murder of human rights activist Lin Yi-hsiung’s (林義雄) family members have been fully declassified, Lai said they were incomplete, as much of the evidence from that time was destroyed. The NSB and intelligence agencies had also deliberately obstructed judicial investigations.

The president pointed out that only a ruling government could have impeded judicial proceedings, highlighting how the authoritarian government of that era used state violence to harm people and sow panic. He urged relevant ministries to ensure that these historical memories are never far from the public’s understanding of the development of Taiwan’s democracy.

Lai said the government will continue to pursue transitional justice for victims of the 228 Incident and their families as well as preserve significant historical sites, including the Gi-Kong Church and the site of the Lin family murders.

“I hope that subsequent generations of Taiwanese people will be able to visit these places and contemplate the effects of authoritarian rule on human rights and freedoms,” he said.

Lai emphasized that in his role as president, his most important mission is to protect Taiwan. He said he will do his part to unite the ruling and opposition parties and added that he hopes the Taiwanese people will work together to defend national sovereignty, uphold democracy, and protect the people’s right to determine their own future.