Grandson of high-profile 228 Incident victim joins movement to recall KMT lawmakers
Lin Mosei was one of the more well-known victims of the KMT’s massacre of local dissidents on February 28, 1947. An educator, he was the first Taiwanese to receive a PhD in the US. He disappeared during the crackdown, and many believed he had been murdered. Last week, after waiting for 78 years, his family at last received a formal court ruling that Lin is presumed dead. However, his family is still sad as his descendants are displaced. Many of them have immigrated to the US. Now only three people from the third generation actually live in Taiwan. One of them has joined the movement to recall KMT lawmakers. He is reminding the public of his family’s painful experience and calling for the protection of Taiwan’s democracy.
Lin Cheng-chih
Lin Mosei’s grandson
Lot 256, on the district of Guting in Taipei City. This is the place where my grandfather was taken away.
During the February 28 incident in 1947, Lin Mosei, the first Taiwanese to receive a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the US, was taken away from his home by plain-clothed armed men in the middle of the night and has never been heard of since. After a wait of 78 years, his family applied to the Taiwan District Court for a death certificate. Last week they received a ruling that Lin Mosei at the age of 140 is legally presumed dead.
Lin Cheng-chih
Lin Mosei’s grandson
It’s hard to believe that miracles can happen but you also just can’t bear to let go. Grandma was very strong in front of us. She often hid in her room and cried. She really missed my grandpa just so much.
Now that the dust has all settled, Lin’s descendants feel no joy and only regret. After Lin’s disappearance, his son Lin Tsung-yi, a pioneering figure in Taiwanese psychiatry, was blacklisted and lived abroad for many years. Lin’s descendents were displaced and only three members of the family’s third generation live in Taiwan, Lin Cheng-chih is one of them. As a writer, he joined a Taiwanese literary alliance in signing a statement in support of the recalls. He even joined a recall group, going out on the streets on hot days and collecting supporting signatures.
Lin Cheng-chih
Lin Mosei’s grandson
A 91-year-old retired Air Force man slowly unzipped a small pocket on his vest and took out his ID card. He asked the volunteer to write for him. When he signed his name, he tried very hard to stop his hand from shaking.
Lin Cheng-chih’s eyes well up with tears when he talks about the movement to recall KMT legislators. His grandfather, who he never met, died in an undemocratic era. Now that he lives in an era of democracy, he is taking actions he thinks will protect it.
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2025-06-26
