TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Wednesday the display of Nazi symbols by Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), leader of a campaign trying to recall a DPP legislator.
The KMT supporter was appearing for questioning in an ongoing investigation into alleged fraudulent petition signatures.
Sung, who led efforts to recall DPP Legislator Lee Kuen-cheng (李坤城), arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office wearing a Nazi armband. He was also seen performing a Nazi salute and carrying a copy of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's autobiography, “Mein Kampf,” according to CNA.
Sung later left the office without the armband and had concealed the book under his jacket. He declined to provide an explanation when asked by reporters about the change.
Sung was released on NT$80,000 bail (US$2,464) after questioning. DPP Spokesperson Justin Wu (吳崢) said that while the KMT may seek to distance itself from Sung, he had already participated in the party’s internal representative elections in 2017, entering the venue while holding a KMT flag, per CNA.
KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) said all actions of this nature were intended to satirize the DPP and its “authoritarian rule.” KMT's New Taipei branch responded that it viewed the incident as a personal matter and refrained from commenting, Set News and Ettoday reported.
In its statement, the ministry emphasized that Nazi ideology led to the atrocities of the Holocaust and genocide. It stated that such symbols are banned in many countries, and contradict Taiwan's values of democracy and human rights.
While affirming that Taiwan protects freedom of expression, the ministry urged the public to recognize the pain associated with Nazi imagery. It called on citizens to repeat such actions.
The German Institute Taipei expressed its shock and condemnation on Wednesday at Sung using Nazi symbols for political purposes. It emphasized that the actions were a deliberate display of Nazi ideology, which represents contempt and persecution of humanity.
The institute also expressed gratitude for the concern shown by Taiwanese society regarding the incident.
