A prominent adviser to Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (
The man, known in China as Justin Lin (林毅夫), an economics professor at China's Beijing University, who also advises the World Bank, is thought to have defected to China in 1979 by swimming the 2.3km from the outlying island of Kinmen to the Chinese coast.
Accompanied by DPP lawmaker Chen Chin-teh (陳金德), Lin's older brother Lin Wan-sung (林萬松) called on the government at a news conference yesterday to "let my little brother come home."
Although the former army commander is widely seen as a traitor, another DPP lawmaker, Trong Chai (
Under current regulations, Chinese nationals may apply for an entry permit to visit Taiwan to attend the funerals of family members.
Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration Fan Te-chu (
He added that Lin's relatives have not yet requested an entry permit for Lin.
Any decision on such an application, however, would involve a number of government ministries, and the Mainland Affairs Council's (MAC's) input would be crucial.
MAC Vice Chairman Chen Ming-tong (
But he said that the government would certainly consider the case out of "humanitarian considerations."
The law obliges the government to consider every application.
Chen said the case was complex and that the MAC will seek legal advice on the matter before making a decision.
Chen made the remarks yesterday while answering questions from lawmakers.
Lin Cheng-yi is widely believed to have defected to China but has always been listed by the military as "missing," allegedly to hide the truth.
Lin had been held up in KMT government propaganda in the mid-1970s as a model patriot for giving up an opportunity to go to university in order to join the army.
Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan (陳定南) said yesterday that the Statute of Limitations requires that prosecutions for treason be carried out within 20 years of the alleged offense and that prosecutors will act in accordance with the law.
But when pressed by reporters if that meant Lin would be free from prosecution, Chen refused to make such a guarantee.
Under current law, treason is punishable by a minimum prison term of 10 years.
The maximum penalty is death.
Vice Minister of Defense Chen Chao-ming (