Taiwan's KMT Condemns Nazism After Controversial Protest

Opposition Party Denounces Nazi Symbols Displayed by Recall Campaign Leader

Taipei, Taiwan – The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party, has firmly condemned Nazism and all forms of totalitarianism following a controversial incident involving an activist associated with a KMT-backed campaign.

The controversy erupted after Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of a KMT-supported recall campaign against Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Lee Kuen-cheng (李坤城), appeared wearing a Nazi armband and carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. The incident occurred at the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office where Sung was summoned for questioning.

Sung, suspected of involvement in signature fraud related to the recall vote, repeatedly performed a Nazi salute, drawing widespread condemnation and sparking significant media attention.

In response, the KMT issued a statement on Facebook, stating its "firm opposition to Nazism, fascism and any form of totalitarianism or human rights persecution." The statement also noted that the activist's actions were unrelated to the KMT, without clarifying his party membership status.

The KMT, however, also criticized the ruling DPP, accusing it of having a "dark history of using Hitler in its propaganda" and "using Nazi issues to discredit its opponents." KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) initially suggested that the display was a form of satire against the DPP, but later reiterated the party's condemnation of fascism at a central meeting.

The incident prompted condemnation from various organizations, including Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), as well as representatives from Israel and Germany in Taiwan. The KMT Youth League also issued a statement, distancing itself from the incident and stating that "improper symbols and behavior should never be accepted as a legitimate form of civic activities or advocacy under any circumstances." They confirmed that Sung "has never been" a member of their group.