Freddy Lim Tshiong-tso, a Taiwanese rock singer turned politician, has been named by Taiwan's government as the next envoy to Finland.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung confirmed and defended the appointment of Lim during a legislative budget hearing on Monday amid criticism from opposition lawmakers.
He said the 49-year-old Lim is qualified for the role and emphasized that diplomacy requires interdisciplinary expertise in economics, culture, and emerging technologies.
Lin noted that the rock singer served two terms in the Legislative Yuan and was a member of the foreign affairs and defense committee, demonstrating his international experience and cultural reach.
As a lawmaker specializing in foreign affairs and national defense, Lim visited Europe and the United States many times, including visits to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit in Denmark and the Oslo Freedom Forum in Norway.
Lim was also elected to lead Amnesty International Taiwan in 2010 and stepped down in 2014.
Lim's appointment is currently being processed and would be officially announced by the Presidential Office at a later date, Lin added.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has emphasized values-oriented diplomacy and Lin has also pushed for cultural diplomacy. Sources said Lim's appointment would help Taiwan "inject new vitality" into its diplomacy and expand ties with Europe.
The president believes that with Lim's experience, he would be able to engage in international exchanges and effectively promote comprehensive diplomacy between Taiwan and northern Europe, as well as globally, the Foreign Minister said.
Lim began his music career in high school as a guitar player in a band, and later set up a heavy metal band, Chthonic, and served as the lead vocalist.
After National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (NTSO) Director Liu Suan-yung was appointed as Taiwan's representative to Austria last year, Lim's appointment would further boost Taiwan's visibility in Europe, the source said.
Lim, who co-founded the opposition New Power Party (NPP) in 2015, was elected as a lawmaker in 2016. He withdrew from the political party in 2019 and got reelected as an independent legislator in 2020.
Lim announced he would not seek reelection in March 2023, citing that he had to take care of a family member suffering from a rare disease. He joined the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in November 2023.
(Taiwan News, Taipei Times and Focus Taiwan)
