Lin Yi-hsiung

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Lin Yi-hsiung (b. 1941) （林義雄）was born in Ilan County, Taiwan. He was a major leader of the democratization movement in Taiwan. He graduated from the Department of Law of National Taiwan University. He was elected legislator of Taiwan in 1977.

Lin was arrested in December 1979 for his involvement in the Kaohsiung Incident. On February 28, 1980 (compared to the 228 Incident 33 years before), his mother and twin daughters were murdered at home. Only his eldest daughter, Huan-Jun, survived this murder which stunned Taiwan. There are no suspects to this day. In 1984, Lin left jail on parole, and went to Harvard University with his wife.

Huan-Jun (aka. Judy Linton), his daughter, also traveled to the United States, and married Rev. Joel Linton. She now tells her story and delivers a powerful testimony of forgiveness she has found through her Christian faith.[1]

Lin Yi-hsiung served as the 8th Chairman of Democratic Progressive Party (1998-2000) and successfully ran a campaign for Chen Shui-bian as the 10th President of the Republic of China. He became inactive in Taiwanese politics afterwards. "I'd like to choose a path through which fewer people walk" he said.

On Jan 24 2006, Lin Yi-hsiung renounced membership of the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan. He said the elections of recent years had become partisan dogfights, resulting in national upheaval. He therefore had no intention of serving in the party's administration, nor of running for public office for the party. According to Lin Yi-hsiung, it was no longer meaningful to be a DPP member, and he has chosen to be a non-partisan citizen of his democratic country.

However, Lin recently endorsed and campaigned for the Democratic Progressive Party's two mayoral candidates in the December 9th end-of-the-year elections. Lin went on the campaign trail for Frank Hsieh (candidate for Taipei Mayor) and Chen Chu (Kaohsiung Mayor-Elect), both of whom are long time friends of his. He states that the Democratic Progressive Party still remains the best choice and most progressive party in Taiwan. [2]