Department of Cultural Affairs

Nan-jung Cheng played a vital role in Taiwan’s democratic movement. Cheng founded the magazine Liberty Times (⾃由時代), which frequently published articles criticizing government policies, called for the lifting of martial law and the disbandment of the Taiwan Garrison Command, and advocated for Taiwanese independence. 

These articles crossed the government’s line in the sand, so to protect journalists and contributors from persecution, Liberty Times often omitted the bylines, stating instead, “All articles in this publication are the sole responsibility of editor-in-chief Nan-jung Cheng.”

On the morning of April 7, 1989, Nan-jung Cheng was charged with “rebellion” for publishing in Liberty Times a draft constitution by legal scholars, which the government deemed unacceptable. When the police forced their way into the magazine’s offices, Cheng doused himself in gasoline and set himself on fire. The third floor of No. 11 houses the Nan-jung Cheng Foundation, where the editor-in-chief’s office can be seen as it was at the time of that tragic event.

Aly. 3, Ln. 106, Minquan E. Rd. Sec. 3, Songshan Dist., Taipei City