Chen Chu, Part 1: The Prisoner Who Would Lead Kaohsiung – S6-E19
Key Takeaways
- Long before serving as the three-time mayor of Kaohsiung, Chen Chu dedicated decades of her life to Taiwan's fierce democracy movement.
- Born in 1950 to a farming family in Yilan, Chen moved to Taipei for university and quickly entered the dangerous world of the dangwai opposition struggle against one-party KMT rule.
- Following the pivotal Kaohsiung Incident in December 1979, Chen Chu was arrested and initially sentenced to twelve years in prison.
- She ultimately spent more than six years behind bars, much of that time enduring isolation alongside fellow political prisoner and future vice president Annette Lu.
- Chen Chu's early activism included participating in landmark martial law-era political protests such as the January 1979 Ciaotao Incident.
Long before becoming a three-time mayor of Kaohsiung, Chen Chu (陳菊) spent decades in Taiwan’s democracy movement. Born into a farming family in Yilan in 1950, Chen Chu moved to Taipei to attend university, and was soon drawn into the dangerous world of the dangwai opposition struggle against one-party KMT rule. After the Kaohsiung Incident of December 1979, Chen was sentenced to twelve years, and would spend more than six years behind bars – much of that time isolated with fellow prisoner and future vice president Annette Lu.
Cover image shows Chen Chu marching in one of the first martial law-era political protests: The Jan. 1979 Ciaotao Incident.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chen Chu?
Chen Chu is a prominent Taiwanese politician and democracy activist who famously served as a three-time mayor of Kaohsiung and spent years as a political prisoner under KMT martial law.
What was the Kaohsiung Incident of 1979 and how did it affect Chen Chu?
The Kaohsiung Incident was a major December 1979 pro-democracy protest that led to a massive crackdown by the authoritarian government. Chen Chu was arrested for her involvement, sentenced to 12 years, and served over six years in prison.
Who did Chen Chu share imprisonment with?
During her imprisonment, Chen Chu spent a significant portion of her time isolated with fellow prisoner and future Taiwan vice president Annette Lu.
