Huang Kuo-chang's New Book Disputed by New Power Party Over 2018 Protest Account

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 4) Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang's new book "Walking Towards the Light" mentions the 2018 protest against amendments to the Labor Standards Act. The New Power Party (NPP) today, citing a non-prosecution document and other materials, stated that the account in the book is clearly inconsistent with the facts and demanded that Huang issue a public apology and correct the content.

In response to the NPP's statement, the TPP said it would not comment for now.

The NPP posted on Facebook today, calling out to Huang, saying he can comment on the past, but cannot alter history or distort memories to elevate himself. It demanded that Huang publicly apologize, correct the content, and remove the book from shelves until the corrections are made.

The NPP stated that in his new book, Huang described the 2018 protest against the second revision of the Labor Standards Act, which aimed to shorten shift intervals and relax the "one day off in seven" rule. He wrote that during the protest at Ketagalan Boulevard, "when I woke up in the early morning, my comrades were all gone, and only Hsu Yung-ming and I were left."

The NPP pointed out that according to the non-prosecution document and the party's press release, this account is clearly inconsistent with the facts. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office's non-prosecution document (Case No. 107侦字第5663) records that the police's final (7th) warning and clearance operation occurred at 4:18 AM on January 8, 2018. Those identified as leaders were the then-NPP legislators Huang Kuo-chang, Hung Tzu-yung, Lin Chang-tso, and Hsu Yung-ming. Subsequently, police used buses to transport the crowd away from the scene.

The NPP further noted that according to a press release issued on its Facebook page at 6:36 AM on January 8, 2018, Hsu Yung-ming, Huang Kuo-chang, Hung Tzu-yung, and Lin Chang-tso were present and engaged in a prolonged standoff. Hsu Yung-ming was forcibly removed by police and taken away in an ambulance. Hung Tzu-yung, surrounded by female police officers, refused to get on the ambulance. After negotiations, she was accompanied by Lin Chang-tso to the emergency room at National Taiwan University Hospital.

The NPP's press release at the time stated that Huang Kuo-chang, who was the last to leave, asked to first contact his companions and organize the supplies at the scene before going to NTU Hospital to check on the health of his colleagues, including Hung Tzu-yung. He left after confirming everyone was safe. By around 4:30 AM, all personnel at the scene had been cleared.

The NPP stated that the book comments on the struggles and efforts made by the NPP during the protest against the second revision of the Labor Standards Act. It said that everyone at the scene, whether legislators, party staff, or supporters, were comrades who fought alongside the NPP. It added that Huang's false statements not only damage his own character but also harm the reputation of the NPP. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150604