Cheng Nan-jung
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Cheng Nan-jung (Traditional Chinese: 鄭南榕; Simplified Chinese: 郑南榕; Hanyu Pinyin: Zhèng Nánróng; Wade-Giles: Cheng Nan-jung; POJ: Tēⁿ Lâm-iông, b. September 12, 1947 in Taipei - d. April 7, 1989) was a Taiwanese publisher and pro-democracy activist. He was the founder of the Freedom Era Weekly.
Cheng's father was an immigrant from Fuzhou in mainland China. His mother was from Keelung. Cheng was born in the year of the 228 Incident, and claims that his family was only spared from the violence against mainlanders by friendly neighbors. He wrote that his experience growing up in the White Terror gave him his interest in Taiwan independence.
Cheng studied engineering at National Cheng Kung University, and philosophy at Fu Jen Catholic University and National Taiwan University. He became more radicalized at this time, refusing to accept his graduation certificate from Taiwan University because of their government affiliation.
In March 1984, Cheng founded his magazine, Freedom Era Weekly. The magazine was banned several times by the authorities but continued to be printed and distributed.
In 1989, Cheng was charged with insurrection for reprinting a draft constitution for the Republic of Taiwan, but refused to appear in court. When the police arrived to arrest him on April 7, he committed suicide by self-immolation.
At Cheng's funeral on May 19, another Taiwanese pro-democracy activist, Chan I-hua, also immolated himself when the funeral procession was blocked by police.
Cheng's widow, Yeh Chu-lan, held senior positions in the Democratic Progressive Party administration between 2000 and 2005. She is currently acting mayor of Kaohsiung.
