Su Tseng-chang: From Formosa Incident Defense Lawyer to the 'Charge Ahead' Premier

30-second overview: Su Tseng-chang's political career was a forty-year sprint. Starting as a defense lawyer in the Formosa Incident trial of 1979, he went on to serve as Pingtung County Magistrate, Taipei County Magistrate, and Premier of the Executive Yuan — twice. His forceful "electric fireball" style brought notable achievements like blocking African swine fever at the border and rolling out air conditioning in every school, but also earned him polarized reviews for his assertive manner. This article takes you inside the decision-making of this "charge ahead" premier, tracing how he rebounded from political low points and left a lasting governing legacy amid controversy.

Origins: A Lawyer Under Martial Law and a Democratic Awakening

In December 1979, the Formosa Incident erupted in Taiwan, and the authoritarian government launched mass arrests. In that era when even breathing felt heavy, the newly practicing lawyer Su Tseng-chang accepted the request of Yao Chia-wen's wife Chou Ching-yu and resolutely joined the defense team. ^{1 2}

The courtroom atmosphere was grim. Su Tseng-chang defended Yao Chia-wen, Chiu Mao-nan, and others — a legal battle that was also a political awakening. This experience transformed him from a pure legal practitioner into a participant in the democratic movement. In 1981, he returned to his hometown of Pingtung to run for Provincial Assemblyman, formally stepping onto the political stage.

📝 Curator's note: Su Tseng-chang's political starting point was not power but "risk." Choosing to defend political prisoners during martial law — this "do what must be done even if it cannot be done" character laid the psychological foundation for his forceful leadership in later years.

Turning Points: From Defeat in Pingtung to the "Legendary Kneeling" in Taipei County

Su Tseng-chang's political road was no smooth path. He was elected Pingtung County Magistrate in 1989, launching the "Plant Trees for a Hundred Miles" project that transformed the Pingtung-Eluanbi highway into a green corridor. ³ However, in 1993, running for re-election, he was smeared by his opponent Wu Tse-yuan and local strongman Cheng Tai-chi, ultimately losing by a slim margin. ^{4 5} This defeat temporarily sidelined him from power, but it also tempered his resilience.

In 1997, Su Tseng-chang contested the Taipei County Magistrate election. On the eve of voting, with DPP fortunes looking bleak, legislator Lu Hsiu-yi — terminally ill with cancer and in extremely poor health — suddenly appeared at a campaign rally. Before ten thousand onlookers, Lu slowly knelt down, using his last reserves of strength to implore voters to support Su Tseng-chang. ^{6 7} This kneeling gesture shocked all of Taiwan and successfully drew sympathy votes, allowing Su Tseng-chang to win by fewer than 30,000 votes — opening his golden eight-year era in Taipei County (now New Taipei City).

Governance: Using "Charge Ahead" to Remake City and Nation

During his tenure as Taipei County Magistrate, Su Tseng-chang turned the "charge ahead" slogan into concrete achievements. One of his most celebrated decisions was transforming the previously derelict and chaotic "Second Floodway" into a beautified waterfront park, and promoting the revitalization of the Yingge Ceramics Museum and Yingge Old Street, turning a declining industrial zone into a cultural tourism destination. ^{8 9} Beyond these, the development of Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf and the Bali Left Bank also had their foundations laid during his tenure. ¹⁰

In 2019, Su Tseng-chang assumed the premiership for the second time. On his very first day in office, he went directly to Taoyuan Airport and ordered 100% inspection of baggage from high-risk areas, successfully keeping African swine fever out of Taiwan. ^{11 12} He then pushed the "Air Conditioning in Every Classroom" policy, requiring installation across all elementary and middle schools in the country within a year and a half, demonstrating remarkable administrative efficiency. ^{13 14}

📝 Curator's note: Su Tseng-chang's governance logic is "solving problems." He didn't care about friction in the process, only whether the result was achieved. This "results-oriented" style made him synonymous with efficiency but also earned him the label of "overbearing."

Challenges and Controversies: The Two Faces of Forceful Leadership

Su Tseng-chang's forceful style is a double-edged sword. During his tenure as Premier, his heated confrontations with opposition legislators, his strict demands on subordinates, and his assertiveness in driving policy often drew criticism of being a "harsh official" or "overly arrogant." ¹⁵ Various polls after 2020 frequently placed him near the top of the "most disliked politicians" list, while simultaneously maintaining a stable support base. ¹⁶

In addition, his "Plant Trees for a Hundred Miles 2.0" project on the Pingtung-Eluanbi highway also generated considerable public complaints and controversy due to traffic disruption during construction and the high budget involved. ¹⁷

Legacy: The Political Inheritance of the Electric Fireball

Su Tseng-chang stepped down as Premier in 2023, ending a tenure of nearly four years — making him one of the longest-serving Premier under Taiwan's directly elected presidents. His political legacy consists not only of concrete infrastructure achievements but also of a governing style characterized by "daring to decide and courage to execute."

From defense lawyer in the Formosa Incident to the "electric fireball" of Taiwan's political scene, Su Tseng-chang's story reflects the fierce collisions and continuous progress of Taiwan's democratization process. Whatever one's assessment, his slogan "charge ahead" has left a deep imprint on Taiwan's collective memory.

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