1. Overview
You Si-kun is a prominent Taiwanese politician, recognized as a founding member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Throughout his extensive career, he has held significant roles, including Premier from 2002 to 2005 and President of the Legislative Yuan from 2020 to 2024. A staunch advocate for Taiwan independence, You Si-kun has played a pivotal role in shaping Taiwan's democratic identity and development, embodying a commitment to self-determination and progressive governance. He is considered one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of the DPP and a loyalist of former President Chen Shui-bian.
2. Early Life and Education
You Si-kun's early life was marked by hardship and resilience, characteristic of his upbringing in a rural farming community. His educational journey, though unconventional, reflects his determination to overcome adversity.
2.1. Childhood and Family Background
You Si-kun was born on April 25, 1948, in Taihe Village, Dongshan Township, Yilan County, Taiwan. He was raised in a poor tenant farming family. A significant event in his youth occurred when he was 13 years old: his family home was destroyed by floodwaters during Typhoon Pamela in 1961, and his father simultaneously succumbed to tuberculosis. These tragedies forced him to quit junior high school at Taiwan Provincial Yilan High School to work full-time on the family farm.
2.2. Educational Journey
Despite his early withdrawal from formal education, You Si-kun was committed to learning. At the age of 19, he enrolled in a supplementary night school at Lotung Commercial and Vocational High School. He later moved to Taipei to continue his studies at the supplementary Hsihu Commercial and Industrial High School. His academic pursuits further led him to study international commerce at the Chihlee Institute of Technology and public administration at National Chung Hsing University. Demonstrating remarkable perseverance, he eventually earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics from Tunghai University in 1985, at the age of 37. Around the time of his graduation, he also formally joined the Democratic Progressive Party, marking his entry into the political arena.
3. Political Career
You Si-kun's political career spans decades, evolving from grassroots activism to high-ranking positions in the central government. His journey reflects his dedication to democratic reform and public service.
3.1. Entry into Politics and Early Activities
You Si-kun began his political career in 1981 when he was elected as a member of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly for Yilan County. He served two terms until 1989. During his time in the Assembly, he formed a notable "iron triangle" with fellow politicians Su Tseng-chang and Hsieh San-sheng, distinguished by being the only members to ever resign from the Assembly. His involvement deepened with the nascent pro-democracy movement, serving as the Tangwai Secretary-General from 1983 to 1984. In 1986, he became the Convener of the Tangwai National Election Backing Committee. As a crucial figure in the establishment of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he served as a member of its Central Committee from 1984 to 1986 and its Central Standing Committee from 1986 to 1990.
3.2. Tenure as Yilan Magistrate
In 1989, You Si-kun was elected as the Magistrate of Yilan County, serving two consecutive terms until 1997. During his tenure, he focused on four primary administrative goals: Environmental Protection (環保立縣Environmental ProtectionChinese (Chinese characters)), Tourism (觀光立縣TourismChinese (Chinese characters)), Information Promotion (資訊立縣Information PromotionChinese (Chinese characters)), and Culture (文化立縣CultureChinese (Chinese characters)). He also contributed to educational reforms as a member of the Educational Reform Committee of the Executive Yuan from 1994 to 1996.
3.3. Tenure in High Central Government Positions
After completing his terms as Yilan Magistrate, You Si-kun assumed various high-profile roles in the central government. In 1998, he was appointed Chairman of the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation by then-Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian. He resigned from this position in 1999 to become the Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party, serving until 2000. During the 2000 ROC presidential election, he acted as the chief spokesman for the DPP campaign. Following Chen Shui-bian's victory in the presidential election, You Si-kun was appointed Vice Premier under Premier Tang Fei in May 2000.
After a brief departure due to the Pachang Creek incident, he rejoined the administration as Secretary-General to the Office of the President on October 6, 2000, serving until February 1, 2002. On February 1, 2002, he was promoted to Premier of Taiwan, a position he held until February 1, 2005. During his premiership, he notably defended the administration's stance on the peace referendum and advocated for a substantial 610.80 B NTD arms procurement package in 2004. Following the 2004 Taiwan legislative election, where the pan-Green Coalition failed to secure a majority, You Si-kun and his cabinet collectively resigned. He was then reappointed as Secretary-General to the Office of the President, with Frank Hsieh succeeding him as Premier. His second term as Secretary-General lasted until December 2005.
3.4. Party Leadership Activities
On January 15, 2006, You Si-kun was elected Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, securing 54% of the vote. He served in this capacity until September 21, 2007, when he resigned following corruption charges. As party chairman, he was a candidate for the DPP nomination in the 2008 ROC presidential election. He competed against prominent figures such as Frank Hsieh, Su Tseng-chang, and Annette Lu. He finished third in the initial round of the primary and subsequently withdrew from the race along with other trailing candidates, which cleared the path for Frank Hsieh to secure the nomination without needing a second round based on opinion polling.
3.5. Legislative Yuan Activities
You Si-kun returned to national politics when he was elected to the Legislative Yuan in 2020, securing an at-large seat representing the Democratic Progressive Party. On February 1, 2020, he was elected President of the Legislative Yuan, defeating Kuomintang lawmaker Lai Shyh-bao and succeeding Su Jia-chyuan. This marked a significant return to a leadership position in Taiwan's legislative body. During his tenure as a legislator and President, he also previously served as a professor at Taipei National University of the Arts from 1998 to 2001. In the 2024 Taiwanese legislative election, You Si-kun was reelected to the Legislative Yuan through party-list proportional representation. However, he subsequently lost his bid for a second term as Speaker to Han Kuo-yu on February 1, 2024. Following this defeat, he immediately resigned from his position as a legislator in the 11th Legislative Yuan.
4. Political Ideology and Stances
You Si-kun's political ideology is characterized by a strong advocacy for Taiwan independence and a commitment to fostering a distinct Taiwanese identity. These core beliefs have shaped his policy positions and public statements throughout his career.
He is widely known as a firm proponent of Taiwan independence. This stance has guided his actions, including his use of the designation "Taiwan, ROC" during an official visit to Honduras, a move that stirred minor controversy and highlighted his assertion of Taiwan's separate identity from China. In September 2004, to further emphasize a "separate Taiwanese identity," he directed government agencies to refer to the People's Republic of China simply as "China" in official documents, rather than the previous terms "mainland China" or "Communist China." While this initiative was intended for internal government documents, it was not formally endorsed by the Presidential Office or the Mainland Affairs Council, indicating the complexities of such identity-related policies. His advocacy for Taiwanese identity also extended to cultural matters. On July 5, 2020, speaking at the Taipei Traditional Chinese Medicine International Forum, You Si-kun proposed renaming Chinese medicine as "Taiwanese medicine," reflecting his desire to localize and indigenize various aspects of Taiwanese culture and heritage. Such actions, consistently asserting Taiwan's distinct sovereignty and cultural identity, have drawn significant attention. Consequently, on November 5, 2021, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the People's Republic of China imposed sanctions on You Si-kun, accusing him of "fanning up hostility across the Taiwan Strait and maliciously smearing the mainland," underscoring the political implications of his robust pro-Taiwan independence stance.
5. Major Controversies and Incidents
Throughout his political career, You Si-kun faced several significant controversies and challenges that impacted his public standing and political trajectory.
5.1. Pachang Creek Incident
A major incident that directly affected You Si-kun's early government career was the Pachang Creek incident in July 2000. Four construction workers became trapped by rapidly rising floodwaters in Pachang Creek. Despite the critical situation, local and central government authorities engaged in a three-hour dispute over who was responsible for dispatching a rescue helicopter, leading to the tragic drowning of all four men. The incident sparked widespread public outrage, prompting numerous officials up the chain of command, including then-Premier Tang Fei, to tender their resignations. You Si-kun, who was serving as Vice Premier and also chaired the Committee of Disaster Relief and Prevention, had his resignation accepted, taking responsibility for the systemic failures during the crisis.
5.2. Corruption Charges and Acquittal
On September 21, 2007, You Si-kun, along with then-Vice President Annette Lu and National Security Office Secretary-General Mark Chen, was indicted on corruption charges by the Supreme Prosecutor's Office of Taiwan. You Si-kun was accused of embezzlement and abusing a special fund, with allegations of misappropriating approximately 70.00 K USD. In response to the indictment, he resigned from his position as chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party on the same day. However, after a protracted legal process, You Si-kun was ultimately acquitted of all charges on July 2, 2012, clearing his name of the allegations.
5.3. Major Election Campaigns
You Si-kun participated in several significant election campaigns throughout his career. In 2008, he sought the Democratic Progressive Party's nomination for the presidential election. He faced strong competition from Frank Hsieh, Su Tseng-chang, and Annette Lu. He placed third in the initial round of the primary and subsequently withdrew, along with other trailing candidates, which allowed Hsieh to secure the nomination. Later, in the 2014 Taiwan local elections, he ran for the position of New Taipei City mayor. On November 29, 2014, he lost the mayoral election to his opponent, Eric Chu of the Kuomintang, by a narrow margin.
6. Personal Life
You Si-kun is married to Yang Pao-yu, whom he wed in 1978. They have two sons. Tragically, his mother, Huang Shou-chu, passed away in December 2002. Beyond his political endeavors, You Si-kun is also the founder of the Kavalan Journal (噶瑪蘭雜誌Kavalan JournalChinese (Chinese characters)), a publication named after the Kavalan people, an indigenous Taiwanese ethnic group. This initiative reflects his connection to Taiwan's local culture and heritage.
7. Assessment and Legacy
You Si-kun's political career is marked by a consistent commitment to Taiwan's democratic development and the assertion of its distinct identity. As a founding member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he played a pivotal role in the emergence of a multi-party democratic system in Taiwan, challenging the long-standing authoritarian rule. His tenure as Yilan Magistrate is remembered for progressive environmental, tourism, information, and cultural development initiatives, which served as a model for local governance. As Premier, he navigated complex policy challenges, including defense procurement and referendums, upholding the Chen Shui-bian administration's reform agenda.
His strong advocacy for Taiwan independence and efforts to cultivate a unique Taiwanese identity, such as proposing the renaming of "Chinese medicine" to "Taiwanese medicine" and the "Taiwan, ROC" designation, reflect his profound impact on national identity discourse. These actions, while celebrated by supporters as crucial for Taiwan's sovereignty, have also drawn strong criticism and sanctions from the People's Republic of China. His resilience in the face of significant challenges, such as the Pachang Creek incident, where he took responsibility and resigned, and the corruption charges from which he was eventually acquitted, underscore his capacity to navigate political storms. Although sometimes described as having a relatively weaker political base compared to other DPP "Four Heavenly Kings," his consistent electoral successes, including his election as President of the Legislative Yuan, demonstrate his enduring influence and public support for his vision of a democratic and independent Taiwan. His legacy is one of unwavering dedication to democratic values and the forging of a distinct Taiwanese national consciousness.
8. Election Results
You Si-kun has participated in numerous elections throughout his political career, serving in various capacities across different levels of government. His electoral history reflects his long-standing engagement with Taiwan's democratic processes.
| Year | Election | Office | Constituency | Party | Vote Percentage | Votes | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Provincial Assembly Election | Member of Provincial Assembly | Yilan County | Independent | 24.27% | 41,631 | Elected  |
| 1985 | Provincial Assembly Election | Member of Provincial Assembly | Yilan County | Independent | 44.92% | 88,555 | Elected |
| 1989 | Local Election | Magistrate | Yilan County | DPP | 54.48% | 119,037 | Elected |
| 1993 | Local Election | Magistrate | Yilan County | DPP | 57.49% | 116,959 | Elected |
| 2008 | Legislative Yuan Election | Legislator | At-large (Party-list) | DPP | 36.91% | 3,610,106 | Lost |
| 2012 | Legislative Yuan Election | Legislator | At-large (Party-list) | DPP | 34.62% | 4,556,424 | Lost |
| 2014 | Local Election | Mayor | New Taipei City | DPP | 48.78% | 934,774 | Lost |
| 2020 | Legislative Yuan Election | Legislator | At-large (Party-list) | DPP | 33.98% | 4,811,241 | Elected |
| 2024 | Legislative Yuan Election | Legislator | At-large (Party-list) | DPP | 36.16% | 4,982,062 | Elected |