Ong Iok-tek (1924-1985) was born in Tainan. He and his elder brother Ong Iok-lin (1919-1947) both graduated with honors from Taipei's First High School and Tokyo Imperial University. After the 228 Incident, Ong Iok-lin, who worked as a prosecutor, was taken away by plainclothes and never seen again. Younger brother Ong Iok-tek later fled to Japan in 1949 since he often criticized the government of art and cultural events.

Ong continued his studies at Tokyo Imperial University and became the first scholar to obtain a PhD degree in Taiwanese dialect studies. He was dedicated to his research subject and published many works related to Taiwanese history, language, and literature. In addition, beginning from 1960, Ong set up the Taiwan Youth Club, started the magazine Taiwan Youth, and was committed to the Taiwan Independence Movement.

Furthermore, Ong championed compensation for imperial Taiwanese soldiers on the basis of humanitarianism.

Ong Iok-tek died of a heart attack in Tokyo in 1985. To honor his contributions to Taiwanese culture and the development of democracy, Tainan City government established the Ong Iok-tek Memorial Museum in the back row houses of Wu Family Garden Art Center, which is close to his birth place, on September 9, 2018.

Ong Iok-tek's publications include Taiwanese dialect studies, Taiwan history, Taiwanese literature, and many critiques and reviews on culture and politics. The Commonly Used Phrases in the Taiwanese Dialect published in 1957 was the first Taiwanese dialect dictionary compiled by a Taiwanese person. Ong Iok-tek sold his own house to sponsor the publication and moved to Senkawa in Toshima Ward for lower rent. The Taiwan: A History of Agonies published in 1964 was the first book about the Taiwanese identity for many young people studying abroad in Japan.

The Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau published The Wandering People - Selected Works by Ong Iok-tek which includes Ong's novels, short songs, new poetry, prose, and literary reviews. This collection also included novels and letters by Ong Iok-tek that the public has never seen before. Through these selected works, visitors can see another aspect of this man of letters - Ong Iok-tek.

Cast of the play The Morn of New Life. Ong Iok-tek, then 21, was the playwright, screenwriter, and director. He also played the role of "Old Lord Chen" in the production.

Ong returned to Taiwan in 1944 and worked at Chiayi governmental office (and city government) from 1944 to 1945. Here he is wearing the national costume his father bought for him.

The Imperial Taiwanese Soldiers Compensation Discussion Association. On March 2, 1975, the Association hosted a petition outside of Isetan Department Store in Shinjuku.