South Korean crisis stirs up memories of Taiwan's authoritarian past

Yoon's martial law fiasco underlines importance of independent state institutions

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Relatives of victims of Taiwan's "White Terror" era of martial law hold lilies as they walk past a pond full of lilies during a memorial to mark the 22nd anniversary of the end of martial law in Taipei on July 15, 2009.  © Reuters

Brian Hioe is a writer, editor, translator, activist and DJ based out of Taipei. He was one of the founders of New Bloom Magazine, an online magazine covering activism and youth politics in Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt declaration of martial law -- and its quick reversal -- took Taiwan by surprise. But more than a week later, protests in the country continue to make front-page headlines in Taiwan, even as the attention of much of the world has moved on.

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