Lee Tien-yu (李天羽), Taiwan’s former Defense Minister, passed away at the age of 79 on Thursday morning at the Tri-Service General Hospital in Taipei. He died due to pneumonia and other complications. Lee’s death marks the loss of a prominent figure in Taiwan’s military history, who played key roles during significant transitions in the nation’s defense strategy.
A Life of Service and Challenges
Early Life and Military Career
Born in Shandong province, China, in 1946, Lee and his father fled to Taiwan during the Kuomintang government’s retreat to the island. Lee was a graduate of the Republic of China (ROC) Air Force Academy, where he began his military career as a pilot. Throughout his career, Lee survived three plane crashes, each time parachuting to safety, which made him a figure of resilience and determination in Taiwan’s military circles.
Rise Through the Ranks
Lee’s military career saw rapid advancement. He eventually became the commander-in-chief of the Air Force and the chief of the general staff. He also served as military strategy advisor to the President, playing a key role in shaping Taiwan’s defense policy. Notably, as commander-in-chief of the Air Force in the early 2000s, Lee oversaw the transition to more advanced second-generation fighter jets like the Mirage 2000, Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDF), and F-16s.
Defense Minister and Controversy
Appointment and Resignation
In May 2007, Lee was appointed as Minister of National Defense by then-President Chen Shui-bian. His tenure, however, was brief. He resigned in February 2008, less than a year after assuming office, following a controversy surrounding the Taiwan Goal project. Taiwan Goal was a private arms firm that raised concerns due to the Ministry of National Defense being its largest shareholder. Lee acknowledged he had not properly managed the establishment of Taiwan Goal, which was dissolved after his departure.
The Chiang Kuo-ching Case
In 2012, Lee, along with other retired military officials, received demerits related to the wrongful execution of Chiang Kuo-ching (江國慶). Chiang, a young Air Force private, was convicted of the rape and murder of a 5-year-old girl in 1996. He was executed in 1997. However, after new evidence emerged, Chiang was exonerated in 2011, and it was revealed that his confession had been coerced through torture.
No Public Memorial and Burial
Following Lee’s death, the Ministry of National Defense announced that there would be no public memorial or wake held for him. His ashes will be interred at a military cemetery in the Bitan area of Xindian District, New Taipei. His funeral arrangements reflect his long and dedicated service to Taiwan’s military forces.
Table: Key Moments in Lee Tien-yu’s Career
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1946 | Lee Tien-yu is born in Shandong, China. |
| 1960s | Graduates from ROC Air Force Academy, becomes a pilot. |
| 2000s | Leads the transition to second-generation fighter jets in Taiwan. |
| May 2007 | Appointed Minister of National Defense by President Chen Shui-bian. |
| February 2008 | Resigns from MND after the Taiwan Goal controversy. |
| 2012 | Receives demerits over the wrongful execution of Chiang Kuo-ching. |
| December 2024 | Lee Tien-yu passes away at the age of 79. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What caused Lee Tien-yu’s death?
Lee Tien-yu passed away from pneumonia and other complications at the Tri-Service General Hospital in Taipei.
2. What roles did Lee Tien-yu serve in Taiwan’s military?
Lee held various prominent positions, including commander-in-chief of the Air Force, chief of the general staff, and military strategy advisor to the President.
3. Why did Lee resign as Taiwan’s Defense Minister?
Lee resigned in 2008 due to the controversy surrounding the establishment of Taiwan Goal, a private arms firm in which the Ministry of National Defense was the largest shareholder.
4. What was Lee’s role in the Chiang Kuo-ching case?
Lee was one of several retired military officials who received demerits for their involvement in the wrongful execution of Chiang Kuo-ching, a case later revealed to involve torture and a false confession.
5. Where will Lee Tien-yu be laid to rest?
Lee’s ashes will be interred at a military cemetery in the Bitan area of Xindian District, New Taipei.
