The Republic Party yesterday announced that United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) honorary deputy chairman John Hsuan (宣明智) has joined the party, sparking speculation whether he would represent the party in the Jan. 16 elections.
Hsuan was a cofounder of the company — the nation’s first semiconductor manufacturing firm — and had served as its chief executive officer.
“I have joined the Republic Party,” Hsuan said in a press release by the party, adding he hoped could “add to the party’s voice.”
Since the party’s founding in March, it has already attracted 100,000 members, Hsuan said, bolstering his confidence that it is a party worthy of trust and able to get things done.
Hsuan did not say whether he would join the elections or take any other political role within the party.
The party said he had filled the application for membership and paid his dues at a private party earlier this month, which was also attended by Republic Party Chairmand and Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying (徐欣瑩).
Hsu said that Hsuan is a graduate of National Chiao Tung University like her, and they got to know each other after she joined politics.
Hsuan had campaigned for Hsu during her legislative run and gave her advice during the party’s founding.
Hsu founded the Republic Party after withdrawing from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) along with other prominent members, including her brother, Taipei City Councilor Hsu Shih-shun (徐世勳), and former Miaoli County legislator Kang Shih-ju (康世儒).
Additional reporting by Liao Hsueh-ju
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