Presidential Senior Advisor Koo Kwang-ming Dies at 97 總統府資政辜寬敏今辭世 享耆壽97歲

Taiwan independence activist and presidential senior advisor Koo Kwang-ming died at 97 years old on Feb. 27.

Koo Kwang-ming, President, Taiwan New Constitution Foundation: “I, Koo Kwang-ming, am always with the Taiwanese people. Koo Kwang-ming is merely one of the 23 million people.”

Spending his whole life pushing for Taiwan's independence, Presidential Senior Advisor and President of Taiwan New Constitution Foundation Koo Kwang-ming passed away at 8:55 a.m. on Feb. 27 at 97 years old, with his family beside him. The Taiwan New Constitution Foundation notes that Koo has completed his life journey; even during the past six months when he was undergoing medical treatment at the hospital, his heart still remained attached to Taiwan's future.

Lin Yi-cheng, Executive Director, Taiwan New Constitution Foundation: “There is more power to protect Taiwan. Mr. Koo who safeguards Taiwan's democracy, was still very concerned about the development even while undergoing treatment and taking care of his body.”

Koo Kwang-ming was born in 1926 and published in magazines such as Taiwan Veracity and Japan Reader's Digest. While he was acting as Committee Chair of World United Formosans for Independence in Japan, he started the 228 protest. In his old age, he founded the Taiwan New Constitution Foundation, continuing to advocate for Taiwan's new constitution movement. The white suit that was often worn by Koo Kwang-ming became his trademark style. Previously, he had expressed open stout support for William Lai to run for the presidency and called President Tsai Ing-wen to step aside. His last public appearance was attending a forum with Secretary-General to the President Lin Chia-lung in 2022.

Kuo Kuo-wen, Legislator (DPP): “An idealist from another generation has left us; we are thus borne with even heavier responsibilities now.”

Wang Hsing-huan, Chair, Taiwan Statebuilding Party: “The last time I visited Mr. Koo on Jan. 24, he was already mostly unconscious only occasionally awake.”

Politicians issued their condolences. President Tsai Ing-wen expressed her sorrow and condolences, grateful for his contributions in pushing for Taiwanization. DPP said that Koo spared no efforts in advocating for Taiwan's independence and sovereignty his whole life. Chairperson William Lai will personally attend and offer his condolences. Lai emphasized that he will continue to safeguard Taiwan's democracy, peace, and economic prosperity, while Lin Chia-lung posted his picture with Koo Kwang-ming in memory of his strong support openly against the then-government.

Koo Kwang-ming, President, Taiwan New Constitution Foundation: “Koo Kwang-ming will leave this society inevitably; however, Taiwan will survive forever.”

Premier Chen Chien-jen said Koo Kwang-ming's spirit and character will long live in everyone's heart. The memorial will open to the public after it is completely set up.

台灣制憲基金會董事長辜寬敏說：「我辜寬敏，實在是跟我們台灣的同胞一體的，辜寬敏是兩千三百萬裡面的一個而已。」

一生推動台灣獨立建國，總統府資政，台灣制憲基金會董事長辜寬敏，27號上午8時55分在台北榮總辭世，享耆壽97歲，家屬均隨侍在側，台灣制憲基金會表示辜寬敏已圓滿走完人生花道，而他這半年在醫院療養的過程中，依舊心繫台灣的未來。

台灣制憲基金會執行長林宜正指出：「有更多的力量共同來防衛台灣，守護台灣的民主這個辜先生，就算是在調養身體的過程當中，他也非常關心這個發展。」

辜寬敏1926年出生，曾創設經營「臺灣春秋」、「日本文摘」等雜誌，在日本擔任台獨聯盟委員長時，發起二二八示威遊行，晚年成立台灣制憲基金會，推進台灣新憲法運動。辜寬敏常的白色西裝，成為他的標誌造型，他先前曾力挺賴清德參選總統，並喊話總統蔡英文讓位，最近一次公開露面則是2022年與現任總統府秘書長林佳龍，一起出席論壇活動。

民進黨立委郭國文認為：「不同時代的理想堅持者又走了一位，接下來我們責任更重了。」

台灣基進黨主席王興煥說：「我在年初三的時候有最後一次，去探望辜先生那時候，他已經多數時候是在昏迷的狀態，偶爾清醒。」

政壇各界紛紛發文表示哀悼，總統蔡英文深感不捨與哀悼，感念他奮力推動台灣本土化，民進黨表示辜寬敏一生為台灣主權推動不遺餘力，黨主席賴清德將前往弔唁，賴清德強調會繼續守護台灣的民主、和平與繁榮。林佳龍也貼出和辜寬敏合照，紀念他挺身為台灣與當權唱反調。

台灣制憲基金會董事長辜寬敏說：「辜寬敏是早晚會離開這個社會，但是台灣永遠存在。」

行政院長陳建仁說辜寬敏的精神與風骨將長存人心。至於悼念場所將在設置完成之後，開放各界追思。