TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) emphasized the need to strengthen national defense and economic resilience amid growing external threats while attending a memorial concert for democracy activists in Kaohsiung on Sunday.
Speaking at the event honoring Yu Teng-fa (余登發) and Yu Chen Yueh-ying (余陳月瑛), Lai said Taiwan can only continue to thrive by responding to external challenges. He added that those who claim to support Taiwan but oppose strengthening its military capabilities “do not truly love Taiwan,” per CNA.
Lai said the concert serves as a reminder of Taiwan’s difficult transition from authoritarian rule to a democratic society, achieved through the sacrifices of many. He stressed that these sacrifices must not be forgotten.
Yu Teng-fa (余登發), a former Kaohsiung County commissioner, was arrested in 1979 and accused by the KMT of being a communist spy. Lai described the protests that followed as a precursor to the Kaohsiung Incident during the Martial Law era, according to CNA. Yu, a prominent local political figure, was later found dead in 1989 in a case widely suspected by supporters and family members to be a political assassination.
Yu Chen Yueh-ying (余陳月瑛) was the matriarch of the Yu family and served as judge and legislator, dominating politics in Kaohsiung for more than thirty years. Lai said the two family members exemplified integrity, diligence, and dedication to Taiwan, expressing hope that politicians across party lines would learn from their example.
Addressing current geopolitical tensions and the military threat from China, Lai said Taiwan must draw on the courage of past democratic figures to safeguard its hard-won freedoms. He said the country must continue to uphold its democratic and constitutional system, maintain that Taiwan is not subordinate to China, and affirm that only Taiwan’s 23 million people can decide its future, per CNA.
Lai also said that opposing increased defense capabilities or obstructing the review of the government’s general budget undermines Taiwan’s security and public interest. The concert was attended by 2,000 attendees, including prominent figures such as Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) and DPP legislators Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) and Lee Kun-tse (李昆澤).
In his speech, Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) urged the public to carry forward the legacy of Taiwan’s democratic movement, thanking Lai for his leadership while acknowledging ongoing challenges ahead.
