Death of Hung Chung-chiu

Hung Chung-chiu
Native name
洪仲丘
Born(1989-09-08)8 September 1989
Died4 July 2013(2013-07-04) (aged 23)
AllegianceRepublic of China
RankSpecialist

The death of Hung Chung-chiu (Chinese: 洪仲丘; pinyin: Hóng Zhòngqiū; Wade–Giles: Húng Chùng-chiū; 8 September 1989 – 4 July 2013), a Republic of China (Taiwan) Army specialist in the 542nd Armor Brigade, occurred under suspicious circumstances while serving a detention sentence in a 269th Mechanized Infantry Brigade barrack during his conscription service spurred allegations of military abuse.[1][2] The military investigation has led to the arrest and questioning of several officials, with the case eventually transferred to civilian prosecutors from Ministry of Justice. A court subsequently found 13 military officials guilty of various charges and handed out prison sentences of up to eight months.

His death sparked the resignation of Minister of National Defense Kao Hua-chu, an apology from President Ma Ying-jeou, public protests, major reforms to Taiwan's legal system including the abolition of court martial during peacetime, and doubts over the future of Taiwan's conscription program changes.[3][4][5][6]

  1. ^ Blum, Jeremy (17 July 2013). "Death of corporal sparks allegations of abuse in Taiwanese military". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  2. ^ Shih Hsiu-chuan; Mo Yan-chih (19 July 2013). "Minister repeats apologies over death". The Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  3. ^ Peter, Enav (24 July 2013). "Anger over soldier's death undermines Taiwan's military amid crucial all-volunteer transition". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  4. ^ Jenny, Hsu (26 July 2013). "Outrage Over Taiwan Death Underscores Military Woes". China Real Time (Wall Street Journal Blog). Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Taiwan defence minister resigns amid conscription death row". BBC News. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  6. ^ Chang, Rich (13 August 2013). "Civilian judges ready to handle military cases: Lai". Taipei Times. Retrieved 13 August 2013.