Witness History The Kaohsiung Incident
Jan 29, 2026
Yao Chia-wen, a Taiwanese pro-democracy lawyer jailed after the 1979 Kaohsiung/Formosa unrest, recounts his role and legal battle. He discusses the rally’s demands for lifting martial law, how clashes escalated into mass arrests and high-profile trials, and the event’s ripple effects on Taiwan’s shift from one-party rule to electoral politics.
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Chaotic Human Rights Rally In Kaohsiung
- Yao Chia-wen described the Human Rights Day rally in Kaohsiung where about 5,000 people gathered and tensions rose quickly.
- The military fired tear gas and the crowd was dispersed with some injuries but no severe damage.
Peaceful Goals Besieged By Radical Urgency
- Formosa Magazine pushed for lifting martial law, reforming Congress, and amending the constitution as a peaceful strategy for change.
- Radical elements and military presence turned a planned speech into a confrontation that accelerated political tension.
Arrests And A Highly Publicized Trial
- Yao Chia-wen recounted his arrest three days after the rally and the mass arrests of 40 people charged with rebellion.
- He described the military court trial of the Kaohsiung Eight, which drew international attention and lasted nine days.