CKS Memorial Hall to Become Legislative Yuan?|中正紀念堂轉型立院? 政院年後啟動協調

Minister without Portfolio Lin Wan-i recently proposed turning the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall into the new offices of the Legislative Yuan. He said cross-ministry discussions will take place after the Lunar New Year holiday. Meanwhile, a report submitted by the Ministry of Culture did not propose tearing down the memorial hall.


Last week, a veteran entertainer slapped Culture Minister Cheng Li-chiun to express her disapproval with Cheng's policies towards Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. On Jan. 30, Minister without Portfolio Lin Wan-i said the Ministry of Culture submitted a report on transforming CKS Memorial Hall to the Executive Yuan at the end of last year. Cross-ministry meetings will be held after the Lunar New Year. Lin also proposed the idea of turning CKS Memorial Hall into the new offices of the Legislative Yuan. Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je was asked about this issue, and responded in this way.

So, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is going to become the Legislative Yuan. Are they planning on holding meetings in front of Chiang Kai-shek's statue? This is really too creative.

Minister without Portfolio Chang Jing-sen first proposed the idea of turning CKS Memorial Hall into the Legislative Yuan in 2017. At that time, Ko said for him, history is history and his only comment was that the site's perimeter wall could be torn down to make it a park. Meanwhile, scholars say CKS Memorial Hall has historic significance. Moreover, it is an international tourist attraction and should not be demolished impulsively.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall has a special historic significance. It is also a historical site. It attracts many domestic and international ethnic Chinese people, not just people from China, so we would benefit from maintaining the status quo.

I proposed that before, to convert it into a museum on former presidents to integrate it with the nature of the place because the majority of opinions are inclined towards human rights because it is also a cultural space because the National Theater and Concert Hall are also there.

Lin says the Ministry of Culture's report did not propose demolishing CKS Memorial Hall and the purpose was to "transform its function" not "get rid of Chiang." Legislative Yuan Secretary-General Lin Chih-chia said the idea of relocating the legislature has been tossed around for a long time and the decision should be made by all legislators. Moreover, a relocation would need the support of the public as it cannot be a unilateral decision.