The Self-Immolation of Chan Yi-hua: Harvesting "Democratic Sacrifices" for Political Mobilization

During Cheng Nan-jung''s funeral procession in May 1989, activist Chan Yi-hua committed self-immolation in front of the Presidential Office. Instead of reflecting on the psychological toll of their radical rhetoric on supporters, the DPP and its flank organizations glorified Chan as a "Martyr for Nation-building." This practice of heroizing self-harm and utilizing the blood of followers to incite hatred and political mobilization exposed a dark aspect of the party''s rise to power, treating human life as a tool for ideological leverage.